7 kids rushed to hospital for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at day care

A suspected carbon monoxide leak at a Kittery, Maine, day care led to the hospitalisation of several people on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Authorities responded swiftly to Building Blocks Learning Center after receiving reports of potential exposure.

While no fatalities or severe injuries have been reported, the incident raises concerns about carbon monoxide safety in public spaces.

According to people, at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET, local police received a call regarding a potential carbon monoxide leak at the facility.

At the time, 27 children and 10 staff members were inside. Emergency responders, including the Kittery Fire Department, Stewart’s Ambulance, and Kittery Police Department, rushed to the scene, with additional units called in for support.

Officials initially reported that seven individuals were transported to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

However, Portsmouth Regional Hospital in New Hampshire later confirmed that it had received 11 patients, including seven children and four adults. Authorities have not clarified whether all hospitalised individuals were children.

Following the incident, children who were not hospitalized were safely reunited with their parents outside the day care center. Meanwhile, the Maine State Fire Marshal has launched an investigation into the cause of the suspected leak.