Investigation goes on into Carrbridge Hotel incident
Officers from Highland Council’s Environmental Health team are carrying out detailed investigations into the cause of carbon monoxide poisoning at the Carrbridge Hotel on Friday (April 21).
In all, four residents were treated for the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness and were released later that evening.
A spokesperson said on Wednesday (April 27): “Investigations are being carried out under the Health and Safety at Work Act to establish what occurred and to consider if any offences have been committed.
“The operators of the hotel have been co-operating fully with the investigation.”
As a precaution an enforcement notice has been served by the council on the hotel to ensure that a wood-fired boiler in the hotel is not used, but it is not known at this time if that is the suggested cause of the incident.
There are four bedrooms in the hotel which are also to remain unoccupied.
Officers are liaising with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the HSE on the investigation.
Senior Environmental Health Officer, Patricia Sheldon commented: “This was a very serious incident that was very distressing for all those involved.
“We are currently carrying out a detailed investigation to identify what happened. At this stage we don’t know what caused this incident.
“I would take this opportunity to remind tourist accommodation providers and landlords, to ensure that any oil, gas or wood fired appliances are regularly serviced and maintained to ensure that they are safe to operate.
“Carbon monoxide detection alarms are a useful precautionary measure, however they should not be regarded as a replacement for regular maintenance and safety checks.”
* More on this story in Thursday's Strathy.
