Carbon Monoxide Incident at Panera in Walt Whitman Mall Sends 7 to Hospital

Seven people inside Panera Bread at Walt Whitman Mall were taken to a local hospital Wednesday morning after they were exposed to elevated levels of carbon monoxide, according to Huntington Community First Aid Squad.

Members of HCFAS arrived to Panera Bread at 8:15 a.m. to find the employees who were experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning had evacuated the restaurant.

Their symptoms included a dull headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, dizziness and difficulty breathing.

The Huntington Manor Fire Department arrived to the scene and found elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the building.

HCFAS used two ambulances to transport the victims to Huntington Hospital for evaluation and one ambulance was kept on standby at the scene.

According to a Panera Bread representative, the carbon monoxide leak was caused by construction going on next door, the former location of Legal Sea Foods.

In Feb. 2014, a carbon monoxide poisoning incident at Legal Sea Foods killed the restaurant manager and more than two dozen others were hospitalized.

Panera Bread says they are working with local authorities to resolve the situation and will reopen the store at noon.

“The safety and well-being of our Panera Bread guests and staff is our top priority,” the representative said. “We applaud the quick response from the Huntington Manor Police and Fire Departments.”

Huntington Manor firefighters responded to the scene with a heavy rescue truck and two engines, which were under the command of Chief Frank McQuade.

Th Huntington Town Fire Marshal's Office and Suffolk County Police are investigating the incident.

Images via HCFAS

Editor's Note: The incident occurred Wednesday morning.