Children and Adults Sent to Hospital After Carbon Monoxide Incident at Kittery Daycare

A carbon monoxide incident occurred yesterday, Feb. 12, at Building Blocks Daycare in Kittery. Seven patients were transported to area hospitals for non-life threatening injuries.

From the State Fire Marshal’s Office:

On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (FMO) responded to assist the Kittery Fire Department following a carbon monoxide incident at Building Blocks Learning Center at 1 Route 236 in Kittery. Seven people were transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At the time of the incident staff at the child care noticed an odor, and individuals began feeling unwell. The providers evacuated the children and staff and called the fire department. There was no alarm activation upon the fire department’s arrival. Officials from the Kittery Fire Department, Kittery Code Enforcement, the Maine Fuel Board, and the FMO were on scene until after midnight gathering information related to the incident. In coordination with the Maine Fuel Board Inspectors, the FMO has operated the building’s heating system and found no concerns related to the emission of carbon monoxide. The FMO confirmed that the source of the carbon monoxide was a propane-powered concrete saw that was being operated in an adjacent suite and was not affiliated with the child care. That suite was under construction and the concrete saw had been operated throughout the day. Propane-powered gas saws are not intended to be operated indoors and are often labeled to prevent use in unventilated space. Carbon monoxide from the saw’s exhaust likely infiltrated the daycare through an HVAC air intake duct that services multiple portions of the building. Another potential route of travel for the carbon monoxide was above a suspended ceiling that had been removed during the construction phase. The FMO has confirmed that a construction permit was not obtained through the FMO nor through local code enforcement for the suite where the concrete saw was operated. The FMO also confirmed that a fire alarm system was installed in the building. Upon arrival the fire department reported the system was showing normal status, however, the detectors in the area where the concrete saw was operated had been covered. FMO Investigators have conducted dozens of interviews and still have additional interviews and investigative work to complete. They are also consulting with the fire alarm company to determine whether carbon monoxide detectors were present, as some smoke alarms and combination smoke/CO alarms are similar in appearance depending on the manufacturer. State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler emphasized the critical role that the child care providers played in ensuring a safe outcome. “It is important to note that daycare providers of the Building Blocks Learning Center recognized a problem and took action,” Esler said. “They evacuated children and staff to safety and notified the fire department as soon as they recognized something was wrong. Their quick response, the professionalism of the Kittery Fire Department, and the medical expertise of the Portsmouth Regional Hospital helped prevent a tragedy.” The investigation remains ongoing.

From the Kittery Fire Department:

At approximately 3:19 PM on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the Kittery Public Safety Dispatch received a call of potential carbon monoxide in a local daycare, Building Blocks, located at 1 Route 236, Kittery Maine. There were 27 children and approximately 10 staff in the building at the time of the call. Kittery Fire Department, Stewarts Ambulance, and Kittery Police Department responded. Additional mutual aid ambulance and fire assistance was also called to the scene to provide assistance. Seven patients, have been transported to area hospitals for non-life threatening injuries. There have been no deaths and no serious injuries identified at this time. Children are being reunited with their parents in accordance with the daycare’s protocols. The cause of the incident will be investigated by the State Fire Marshall. The Fire Marshall is on route to the scene. Any additional information will be provided through the Fire Marshall’s Office.

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