

Chris Fox, CP24.com





Eight people were taken to hospital, including one child, after a carbon monoxide leak at a North York restaurant late Sunday night.

Emergency crews were called to the Chinese Halal Restaurant on Ravel Road near Finch Avenue and Leslie Street at around 10:30 p.m. after a number of people reported feeling ill from the smell of gas.

Upon arrival, paramedics say the eight victims were found to be in non-life threatening condition and taken to hospital for treatment. A total of nine other people were treated on scene.

Toronto Fire says that the initial carbon monoxide readings in the restaurant were 500 parts per million, which is more than five times the acceptable level.

The cause of the leak is believed to be a faulty hot water heater.

Toronto Public Health has been notified.

An inspection of the restaurant revealed many fire code violations, Toronto Fire Deputy Chief Jim Jessop told reporters Monday afternoon.

Violations included exits that were blocked, the presence of combustibles in many areas, and issues with commercial cooking equipment.

"We're very fortunate this didn't lead to serious injuries or deaths," Jessop said. The owner of the restaurant will be charged.

There were no carbon monoxide detectors in the restaurant, but Jessop said the Ontario Fire Code does not require them in businesses.

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