The New Canaan Fire Department on Thursday afternoon responded to two carbon monoxide or “CO” incidents, including one at Solé on Elm Street.
In both cases, contractors used gas-powered equipment indoors, according to a press release from Fire Chief Albe Bassett.
Elm Street on April 30, 2026. Credit: Carl Franco of Francos Wine Merchants
First, at about 2:30 p.m. on April 30, a contractor on Oenoke Ridge used a saw to cut a concrete floor in a basement. After about 30 minutes, the home’s CO detectors were activated.
“New Canaan Firefighters responded and determined that the levels were above acceptable levels,” Bassett said in the release. “The home was ventilated to safe levels. A 2-week-old infant was brought to the pediatrician for evaluation.”
Second, at about 4:30 p.m., a contractor using a power washer in the basement of the popular Elm Street restaurant was “overcome by the CO” and had to be treated by police and New Canaan Emergency Medical Services, the release said.
Fire officials tested and found that the CO level was alarmingly high, at 1,000 parts per million or “ppm” in the basement, it said.
The firefighters performed a search of the building to ensure no other occupants were in the building and ventilated until all readings were back to zero,” Bassett said.
NCFD received mutual aid from the Norwalk Fire Department for additional gas meters and ventilation fans, he said. Both Solé and Blackbird restaurant “were closed for the evening,” he said.
“Operating gasoline powered equipment in or near your living areas is dangerous,” the release said. “Residents should ensure there are properly operating carbon monoxide detectors on all levels of your home. For a complementary residential home inspection call the New Canaan Fire Marshal’s office 203-594-3030. Residents should sign up for Community Connect to provide basic information about their home to assist responding firefighters.”