Kittery Daycare Closes Over Carbon Monoxide Incident

The Building Blocks Learning Center in Kittery, Maine, has permanently closed following a carbon monoxide exposure incident that hospitalized 11 people, including children and staff. The exposure was caused by a propane-powered concrete saw operating in an adjacent unit, with the gas entering through the HVAC system. The daycare lacked essential safety equipment, including carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers, which were among 13 violations found by state investigators. Despite previously passing inspections by the Fire Marshal's Office and the Department of Health and Human Services, owner Alaina Kelley expressed regret and blamed state regulators for the oversight. The Fire Marshal's Office is conducting an ongoing investigation to determine compliance failures and the role of the neighboring business, which lacked proper permits for its construction activities. All individuals affected by the incident are expected to recover fully.