PENNSYLVANIA- (MaraviPost)- A carbon monoxide leak at Happy Smiles Learning Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania has sent about 26 children to different hospitals on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.
Capt. John Christopher of the Allentown Fire Department confirmed the news in a statement.
Reports indicate that 32 people including 28 kids and 4 are adults, were taken to various Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s hospitals for treatment following the incident.
According to Capt. Christopher every ambulance in the city was instructed to respond to the day care center immediately after the incident and officials have labeled the incident “level 1 mass casualty” adding that hospitals in the area should prepare to be overwhelmed.
The incident came to light after workers at the daycare made an emergency call after a child was found unconscious.
CNN report revealed that firefighters’ carbon monoxide monitors alerted the responders of the high levels of the odorless, colorless gas and further investigation indicated that there was dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide which prompted a full evacuation of the building.
Eighteen people were still hospitalised, and 14 of those are in stable condition, with the condition of the others still unknown.
Carbon monoxide, though colorless and odorless, can be a deadly gas. Every year, at least 430 people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning and about 50,000 people need emergency care.
