A fire on Guangming Street in Xindian District, New Taipei City, resulted in 5 people being rescued and 2 others sent to the hospital, warning of the hidden risk of carbon monoxide poisoning

A fire broke out on Guangming Street, Xindian District, New Taipei City on the evening of the 4th. After receiving the report, the police rushed to the scene for rescue. A total of 5 people were rescued and 34 people were evacuated. Among them, 2 female residents were sent to the hospital for emergency evaluation due to physical discomfort. One of them, a 95-year-old woman, arrived at the hospital. After the hospital, it was found that the blood oxygen was low. After the doctor's evaluation, he was hospitalized for continuous observation. The other patient returned home to recuperate after observation. The emergency doctor pointed out that in addition to burns and scalding, respiratory injuries caused by inhalation of heavy smoke and carbon monoxide poisoning should also be carefully guarded against.

Lu Yunfeng, an emergency physician at Catholic Hospital, said that high-temperature gases, smoke particles and toxic gases in fires may irritate or even harm the respiratory tract. Patients who experience persistent coughing, hoarseness, chest tightness, wheezing, coughing up black sputum, dizziness, headache, nausea, general weakness, or changes in consciousness should be alert. Some inhalation injuries may gradually cause respiratory tract edema after leaving the fire scene for a period of time. Therefore, it is recommended that those who have been trapped in a fire scene for a long time or have inhaled a large amount of thick smoke receive medical evaluation even if their current symptoms are not obvious.

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Fire scenes are often accompanied by the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and the fingertip oximeter commonly used by the general public cannot completely rule out carbon monoxide poisoning. Even if the blood oxygen value appears to be normal, a comprehensive judgment must be made based on the exposure environment, clinical symptoms and related blood tests. Safety cannot be confirmed by one number alone.

Lin Yide, a neurologist at Catholic Hospital, said that after carbon monoxide enters the human body, it will combine with hemoglobin and affect the blood's ability to transport oxygen. Among them, organs with high oxygen consumption such as the brain and heart are the most susceptible. Patients with mild symptoms may experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. In severe cases, patients may suffer from unconsciousness, convulsions, and even myocardial hypoxia.

Some patients with more severe carbon monoxide poisoning may consider receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy after being evaluated by a physician. By inhaling high-concentration oxygen in a high-pressure environment, it accelerates the removal of carbon monoxide from the body and improves tissue hypoxia. If the patient has experienced obvious changes in consciousness, neurological symptoms, or other high-risk situations, the medical team will evaluate whether further treatment and follow-up are needed based on the overall clinical condition.

In addition to medical treatment, the ability to escape correctly when a fire occurs is also the key to saving life. Captain Lin Zixiang of the Xindian Fire Brigade of the New Taipei City Government Fire Department said that when a fire is discovered, you should immediately shout the alarm and call 119. The escape process should follow the principle of "escape quickly for small fires and close the door for heavy smoke." If the escape route is not blocked by thick smoke, you should immediately evacuate to the safe exit. However, if the stairwell or walkway is filled with thick smoke, do not risk crossing it, let alone return to the fire scene to retrieve property.