Parents locked out

Firefighter rescues baby from smoking kitchen

Lifesavers: The firefighter (right) who brought the baby to safety from the smoke-filled room with the police officers who were on the scene.(Bild: Polizei OÖ)

It was a chain of unfortunate circumstances that led to a two-week-old baby being trapped in a room where a pan on the stove had started to smoke. Thanks to the determined reaction of the police and fire department, the baby was rescued.

The parents (aged 34 and 30) just wanted to go outside the house for a moment to dispose of the garbage. The timing seemed right, as their two-week-old baby was sleeping peacefully in a cradle in the kitchen. However, when they stepped outside the front door, it was suddenly flung shut by the wind, locking them both out.

While the 30-year-old immediately drove off to get the spare key from her mother in Linz, the 34-year-old father tried to force open a patio door. However, his attempt failed. 

Smoke spread
The mishap was made particularly explosive by the fact that food was cooking on the stove and the pan began to smoke. The man ran to his neighbor and pleaded for help.

He immediately raised the alarm via an emergency call. The father and neighbor then tried to break down the door. But this attempt also failed. Meanwhile, the smoke in the room continued to spread. The fire department and two police patrols finally arrived at the house at the same time. 

The relieved helpers(Bild: Polizei OÖ)

Window broken out
The police officers managed to break open an anteroom window so that a firefighter could get in and rush to the baby. He took the newborn outside, where it was treated by Red Cross paramedics and an emergency doctor. The child was then taken to the Kepler University Hospital in Linz for further treatment. There was apparently no danger to life.