Two 61 year old women They had to be treated in the early hours of the morning in Mérida after presenting symptoms consistent with a carbon monoxide poisoning inside a home. The incident, which occurred in the capital of Extremadura, triggered a large-scale health and emergency response during the early hours of Sunday.
According to information provided by the Extremadura 112 Emergency CenterEverything points to the fact that the event originated from the poor combustion of a gas stoveThis is a problem that every winter brings back to the forefront the risks of domestic heating systems that lack proper ventilation or maintenance.
The call to 112 and the intervention in the home
The alarm was raised when, around 02: 00-02: 05 hours In the early hours of the morning, the emergency center received a call alerting them that in a house in Mérida several people were dizzy and nauseousThese symptoms were consistent with possible carbon monoxide poisoning, a gas that has no odor or color and can go unnoticed until the first signs of discomfort appear.
Upon suspicion of a poisoning in a homeEmergency services (112) immediately activated the standard protocol for this type of incident. From the coordination center, resources were mobilized. health and emergency resources to go to the scene of the incident and assess the situation on the ground.
Within minutes, a team arrived at the house. medicalized unit (UME) and a basic life support unit (SVB), in addition to a team from Continuous Care Point (PAC) Mérida NorthThese services belong to the Extremadura Health System and are responsible for providing urgent care outside of the regular hours of health centers.
Along with the health resources, a contingent of the Firefighters from the Provincial Firefighting Consortium (CPEI), as well as a patrol of the Local police from Mérida, who collaborated in the organization of the operation and in the control of the area.
Condition of the affected women and transfer to the Mérida Hospital
Once inside the house, the medical personnel attended to two 61-year-old women that showed clear signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as dizziness and nausea. After an initial assessment at home, it was decided that transfer to the Mérida Hospital for more thorough monitoring and administration of the necessary treatment.
Both women were evacuated in less serious conditionAccording to emergency services sources, this means that although her condition was serious, her life was not in danger at that time thanks to the rapid intervention of the emergency services.
In these types of cases, treatment usually focuses on the oxygen therapyThat is, the administration of oxygen to promote the elimination of carbon monoxide from the body. Depending on the severity, oxygen may even be used in hyperbaric chambers, although this has not been detailed in the available information.
El Merida Hospital She took charge of the subsequent care, carrying out the necessary tests to monitor the women's progress and rule out any complications arising from gas exposure. Authorities have not reported the need to evacuate anyone else from the house, so everything indicates that the incident was limited to these two women.
Probable cause: poor combustion of a gas stove
The first data provided by the 112 Extremadura They suggest that the origin of the event lies in the poor combustion of a gas stove installed in the home. These types of appliances, if they do not have adequate ventilation or are not checked frequently, can generate dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is produced when a fuel, such as gas, does not burn completely. If the space is also stuffyThe gas accumulates in the environment and displaces oxygen, causing silent poisoning. Unlike other gases, carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and tastelessThis makes it especially dangerous because people don't perceive its presence until they start to feel unwell.
In this incident in Mérida, everything seems to indicate that the The gas stove was not working under optimal conditions.generating a concentration of carbon monoxide sufficient to cause symptoms of poisoning in the two women inside the house. Firefighters from CPEI They were responsible for ventilating the building and verifying that there was no longer any risk to the occupants or the neighborhood.
The technical investigations subsequent ones, which usually involve firefighters and, where appropriate, specialized expertsThey will allow us to determine exactly what failure occurred in the heating system and whether there were deficiencies in the maintenance, installation or ventilation of the building.
Health and emergency response team mobilized
The coordinated action of the emergency services has been key to providing rapid assistance to those affected and minimizing the potential consequences of the poisoning. From the first alert, the Extremadura 112 Emergency Center He launched an operation involving various resources and administrations.
In the health sector, a Emergency Medical Unit (UME)capable of providing advanced care at the scene of the incident, and a basic life support (BLS) unitwhich reinforces patient care and transport. Alongside them, a team from PAC Mérida Norte He went to the house to support the stabilization and initial care efforts.
The security and protection services intervened with the following personnel Firefighters from the Provincial Firefighting Consortium (CPEI), responsible for securing the home, measuring the possible presence of gases and proceeding with the ventilation of the property, as well as a Local Police patrol from Mérida. The latter collaborated in regulating access to the area and in providing support to the rest of the forces.
The operation took place in the early hours of the morning, a time that typically complicates emergency response due to less activity on the streets and the difficulty of quickly locating potential witnesses. Despite this, the response from 112 and the deployed services This allowed the situation to be controlled and ensured the transfer to the hospital under safe conditions.
These types of incidents highlight the importance of having a well-coordinated emergency system, in which communication between healthcare workers, firefighters and police forces is fluid and efficient to reduce response times and act jointly.
Risks of carbon monoxide and safety recommendations
Poisoning by carbon monoxide It is a recurring problem in the colder months, when the use of stoves, heaters and other systems that use fuels such as gas, wood, or coal. Because it cannot be perceived by the senses, this gas has gained the reputation of "silent murderer", since it can accumulate without people noticing until symptoms become evident."
Amongst the most common signs Symptoms of poisoning include dizziness, nausea, headache, extreme fatigue, or disorientation. In more severe cases, it can cause loss of consciousness, seizures, and even death if exposure is prolonged and the gas concentration is very high.
To reduce the risk of these types of incidents, health and civil protection authorities emphasize a series of basic recommendations: Check stoves and boilers regularlyUse only approved appliances and avoid blocking air vents or outlets. In homes with combustion systems, the installation of carbon monoxide detectors It can be a very useful measure to warn of the presence of this gas before it causes damage.
If you notice any suspicious symptoms while using a stove or gas appliance, the most prudent thing to do is Turn off the device immediately.Open doors and windows to ventilate and go outside if possible. Then, call the emergency services. 112 to receive instructions and allow professionals to assess the situation.
Events like the one in Mérida serve as a reminder that, although the carbon monoxide poisoning These problems aren't daily occurrences, but they do happen every cold season and can have serious consequences if not detected early. Prevention and information remain the best tools to prevent a stove combustion failure from becoming a major tragedy.
What happened in this house MéridaThe incident, involving two 61-year-old women treated and taken to the hospital in less serious condition after a probable faulty gas stove, highlights the need to take extra precautions with domestic heating systems and to rely on emergency services when symptoms of dizziness or nausea appear in an enclosed environment, especially at night.
