Children are being rushed to hospital following a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a nursery in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The 911 call was a medical for a child who was unconscious, however, monitors carried by the emergency services detected the leak as they responded to the incident.
A number of children have been taken to hospital, however at 8 am local time some children were still waiting to be transported, according to 69 News.
The situation has been described as a level 1 mass casualty incident, meaning first responders and local hospitals could be overwhelmed by the amount of patients requiring care.
All children and staff were evacuated from the nursery at Happy Smiles Learning Centre in the 400 block of Wabash Street, according to Captain John Christopher of the Allentown Fire Department.
He added that “every Allentown ambulance in use” is responding to the incident.
So far 27 people, including children, have been taken to hospital in the Leigh Valley, according to authorities. All were said to be in stable condition.
The most severely affected children were transported first, Capt. Christopher said. Another nursery around the corner has reportedly opened its doors to keep the children warm.
Authorities said the children’s parents had been informed and they were working with nursery staff to keep people updated.
Crews from the gas company UGI were on the scene assessing what caused the leak.
Authorities said the children’s parents had been informed and they were working with nursery staff to keep people updated.
Source: Express
