On Monday night, 24 November, emergency teams in Radom treated five people, including a child, after a carbon monoxide leak in a suburban house.
Emergency Response Called
During the late evening of Monday, 24 November, emergency services were summoned to a single‑family residence on Waryńskiego Street in Radom after a suspected carbon monoxide leak was reported.
Investigation and Testing
Firefighters, medical rescue teams and police arrived on the scene. One occupant was showing clear signs of carbon‑monoxide poisoning and was immediately transported to hospital; the rest were taken for preventative medical checks, totaling five patients including a child.
Source of Carbon Monoxide
Preliminary findings indicated that a defective water‑heating unit in the bathroom may have been the source; such appliances are common emitters when improperly operated or poorly ventilated.
Health and Safety Measures
Carbon monoxide, dubbed the ‘silent killer’, is colourless and odourless, making detection difficult without specialised sensors. The Polish Fire Service emphasises that its binding to haemoglobin is far quicker than oxygen, leading to rapid hypoxia, with symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue often dismissed.
Preventive Recommendations
Responders advised installing a CO detector, and to have heating systems and ventilation fitted inspected and serviced by qualified professionals, a standard precaution in similar incidents.
