REGINA (Saskatchewan) – The conclusion of the investigation into the death of 11-year-old Italian-Canadian Henry Losco, who was found dead in his bed due to a carbon monoxide leak on December 19 in Regina, has sparked anger and shock. Indeed, according to what emerged during a press conference held Wednesday by Regina Fire & Protective Service (RFPS) Chief Layne Jackson, the fatal leak that killed young Henry occurred due to a malfunctioning boiler and could, in any case, have been stopped in time.
During the RFPS briefing, as reported by SaskToday (here), it was confirmed that the carbon monoxide leak in the apartment building at 1827 Albert Street on December 19 originated from a boiler inside the building, which experienced a delayed ignition due to a malfunction and ultimately exploded. Moreover, carbon monoxide alarms reportedly went off in the building, but maintenance staff did not check the boiler room. “If anybody went to check the fuel-burning appliances, they said they would have clearly seen the [imminent] explosion,” said the RFPS chief. Instead, without verifying the cause of the alarms, carbon monoxide continued to spread throughout the building, including the apartment where Henry’s family was staying.
When Henry’s mother, Marina Hills, returned home at 7:45 p.m. that evening, she found her husband Sergio on the floor struggling to breathe, and her son Henry unresponsive in his bed. She performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but it was too late. Sergio, however, survived after receiving hospital treatment. “The grief is heavy, he was our only son, but there’s a lot of anger. My son died in his bed, and he didn’t get the chance to save himself,” said his father Sergio, originally from Avellino, in Campania (Italy).
Our previous article: Tragedy strikes Italian family in Regina as 11-year-old son dies from carbon monoxide
On top of the irreparable loss, there is also frustration over timing: the manufacturer of the faulty boiler, NTI Boilers Inc. (now Ariston Canada), part of the Italy-based Ariston Group, issued a safety advisory between February and March 2026—after the tragedy—covering all FTG series boilers, including the one installed in the building where the incident occurred. “It is critical that all owners and users of boilers immediately stop using the boiler and follow the instructions below. Failure to do so could lead to a delayed ignition event, which could result in serious injury or death,” the advisory states. It also recommends that for models produced before January 8, 2026 (such as the one involved), a free upgrade kit be installed. While awaiting the upgrade, “it is important to confirm there are working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed throughout the building, including the boiler room, as stated in the owner’s manual and in accordance with applicable building codes and legal requirements…” (here the full original advisory).
“Too little, too late,” said Henry’s mother Marina. “My little boy is dead. If they knew that there was something wrong with these and there had been a history with these boilers, they should have recalled them.” Marina, originally from Creston, British Columbia, also questions the potential consequences of the malfunction. “That could have blown up the entire building; everybody could have died.”
The Losco family is now working on a bill called “Henry’s Law” with the Saskatchewan NDP. “We want carbon monoxide detectors in every room, not just near fuel-burning appliances, not just one on a floor. There needs to be one in every room.” Recently, Ontario changed its law to require carbon monoxide alarms on every floor of a home, even in areas without bedrooms, but Marina believes that is not enough. She argues that one is needed in every room to prevent similar tragedies. “We don’t want to see any more children die because of this, because a mother finding their child dead in their bed is not something you will ever get past,” she told SaskToday.
The couple is also in contact with Italian diplomatic authorities in Canada, both because Henry was an Italian citizen and because Ariston is an Italian company. “We plan on meeting with them in May to go over and give them an update about the last four months and what’s been going on, and this is important, especially now that we found out that this boiler comes from an Italian national company.”
There is also the judicial aspect. While a review is underway to determine whether the building met construction and fire safety codes, the Losco family is preparing a legal battle to seek compensation for the death of their only son. “We will sue both the boiler manufacturers and those responsible for the building’s safety, because both bear serious responsibility. Our son could still be alive,” said father Sergio. “And that gives us no peace…”.
In the pic above, the Losco family in a happy moment: little Henry with his father Sergio and his mother Marina; below, Sergio with Henry in his football “kit”: he was a promising goalkeeper (photos kindly provided by the family)
