Carbon Monoxide Leak At PA Day Care Sends Dozens Of Kids, Staff To Hospital

ALLENTOWN, PA — A carbon monoxide leak at a Pennsylvania day care sent more than two dozen children and employees to the hospital Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

Every ambulance in Allentown responded to the Happy Smiles Learning Center in the 400 block of Wabash Street, Capt. John Christopher with the Allentown Fire Department told WFMZ. Authorities were initially called to the day care after receiving a report of an unconscious child.

When fire crews arrived just after 6:50 a.m., they detected high levels of carbon monoxide inside the building, FOX 29 reported.

In all, 27 people were taken to four hospitals in the Lehigh Valley, authorities told WFMZ. All were in stable condition.

The day care was evacuated and will remain closed while authorities work to identify the source of the leak, according to FOX 29.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas made when fuel burns. Breathing in carbon monoxide fumes prevents the body from using oxygen properly, according to Hopkins Medicine, which can hurt the brain, heart, and other organs.

The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, blurry vision, disorientation, and loss of consciousness.