Children, workers rushed to hospital after carbon monoxide leak at Pennsylvania day care
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A carbon monoxide leak at a Pennsylvania day sent more than two dozen children and several employees to the hospital Tuesday morning, the Allentown Fire Department confirmed.
Fire Capt. John Christopher confirmed to WFMZ-TV that every ambulance in the eastern Pennsylvania city responded to the leak at Happy Smiles Learning Center.
What began as a report of a single unconscious child escalated after first responders detected dangerous carbon monoxide levels on the premises, resulting in the hospitalizations of 28 children and four adults, the TV station reported.
Christopher also confirmed to WPVI-TV that the incident quickly morphed into a massive emergency response as multiple victims began exhibiting symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, forcing the facility’s evacuation.
By 11 a.m., all patients associated with the leak were listed in stable condition, according to the TV station.
According to WFMZ, legislation passed last month now requires all child care centers in Pennsylvania to have carbon monoxide detectors. While investigators found no carbon monoxide detector at Happy Smiles on Tuesday, the 30-day grace period to come into compliance with the new legislation has not yet passed, the TV station reported.
