Firefighters relocated 16 newborns to another ward at a hospital in Łódź, Poland, early Tuesday morning, May 5th, after a smoke incident.
Smoke Origin Located in Ventilation System
The incident occurred between Monday and Tuesday night, with emergency services receiving a report before 10 PM. Eleven fire crews participated in the rescue operation, which concluded after 3 AM.
The primary challenge was identifying the source of the dense smoke appearing between floors. Firefighters determined the source was in the ventilation room on level -1, with smoke spreading to the second floor where the newborns were located, according to Captain Łukasz Górczyński of the Łódź fire department.
Electrical Short Circuit Suspected
Preliminary findings suggest an electrical short circuit – loss of insulation in electrical wiring – likely caused the smoke. There was no open flame.
Newborns Moved, Staff Evaluated
Firefighters transferred 16 newborns to a different ward, while 11 remained under observation as their area was unaffected by the smoke. Two medical staff members reported dizziness and were examined by a doctor on-site, Captain Górczyński reported.
Air Quality Checks and Return to Wards
Specialized air quality measurements were taken every 30 minutes, and rooms were ventilated. The newborns were then returned to their wards, with hospital technicians also present.
