Stamford Man Dead From Possible Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Police

STAMFORD, CT — Police and city officials are warning residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide following the untimely death of a 46-year-old Stamford man last week.

The Stamford Police Department is investigating the death of Abdelouahab Hattab, a Moroccan native who was living in an "illegal" basement apartment at a home on Hillcrest Avenue, according to Capt. Richard Conklin of the SPD.

Conklin said the department received a call around 6 p.m. on May 2 from friends of Hattab who said they heard his shower running but couldn't get in touch with him.

Patrol officers responded and knocked on the bathroom door but received no answer, Conklin said. Officers then forced their way in and found Hattab dead in the shower.

Conklin said there were no signs of physical trauma to Hattab. The next day, in the middle of conducting an autopsy, the medical examiner called police to alert them that preliminary information pointed to carbon monoxide poisoning, added Conklin.

Autopsy results were not yet finalized as of Wednesday, Conklin said.

At that point, police and fire officials along with members from Stamford's building and health departments responded to the home.

"What we find is there's some other people [in the home] who are having difficulties and they were transported to the hospital. We do an emergency inspection and we find that a gas home and hot water heater has been installed without a permit, and that there's no venting. It vents right into the room it's installed in. It was a very, very dangerous situation," Conklin said.

The Stamford Building Department issued a notice of violation to the owner of the home. An inspection found the home, which was built in 1920 according to city records, to be in violation of two state building codes: work without a permit, and unsafe equipment.

"The Wall Hung Water heater is not properly vented to the exterior and not plugged into [a] proper receptacle. The cover over [the] main electrical panel is missing next to wire shelving which can cause a fire or electrocution," the notice stated. "There are no smoke or carbon monoxide detectors in the basement. The door at the top of [the] stairs that leads to the 1st floor has a deadbolt lock which can not be opened from the basement."

In 2005, the Connecticut legislature passed a law that requires the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in new one or two family buildings and in existing residences where alterations or additions requiring a permit occur.

In 2013, a law was passed that requires working carbon monoxide detectors in one or two family residences for which a building permit for new occupancy was issued prior to Oct. 1, 2005 and after Oct. 1, 1985 at the time title is transferred

Occupancy at the Hillcrest Avenue home is prohibited until the violations have been removed to the satisfaction of the building department.

"This was an illegal apartment. It's not on the books, it's never been inspected. As a result of code violations and improperly installed equipment and no permitting, the Stamford Department of Health assisted by the American Red Cross removed all the residents from this house and placed them at different locations in an emergency type situation," Conklin said.

An investigation remains ongoing, Conklin said, and criminal charges could be coming down the road.

Conklin said the call from the medical examiner's office likely saved other lives. Conklin highlighted the dangers of living in one of these illegal apartments. He pointed to other cases in which there have been no fire escapes installed, faulty wiring and very steep staircases.

Stamford's Chief Building Official Bharat Gami said potential tenants in Stamford should look for a Certificate of Apartment Occupancy per Sec 146-33 B of Stamford Ordinance, and that the Stamford Land Use Bureau should be contacted with any questions regarding illegal use.

Carbon monoxide, often referred to as a quiet killer, is a colorless, odorless and deadly gas produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. These fuels can be natural gas, oil, kerosene, coal or wood. Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood, interfering with the transport of oxygen needed by the cells in the body.

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can include headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea. Higher concentration of carbon monoxide can cause a loss of consciousness, brain damage and death.

This week, Mayor Caroline Simmons, Director of Public Safety Ted Jankowski and Fire Chief Trevor Roach, along with several Stamford fire units, were at homes on Highland Road and Terrace Place installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for residents in need.

According to the city, each year, 3,500 people die in home fires across the country with more than 15,000 people injured. Every year in the U.S., more than 400 people die because of carbon monoxide poisoning, and more than 20,000 people visit the emergency room.

"Having properly working smoke and carbon monoxide detection is vital to protecting our residents from fire and carbon monoxide poisoning," Simmons said in a news release. "The Stamford Fire Department’s Smoke and Carbon Monoxide installation program provides these important devices to residents which helps to protect and improve resident safety."

Jankowksi said he's seen many serious injuries and deaths related to fire and carbon monoxide incidents.

"Properly installed and maintained smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can alert individuals and families 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide for a safe escape," he said.

Roach said in a news release residents should change or check the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every six months.

"If you don’t have a current working smoke and/or carbon monoxide detector, please call the 911 communications non-emergency number at 203-977-5555 or go to the Stamford Fire Department’s website," Roach added.