10 Hospitalized for Carbon Monoxide Exposure in Port Washington

Updated with additional information at 5 p.m.:

Ten people were hospitalized after becoming ill from carbon monoxide fumes that came from a Port Washington restaurant Wednesday morning, police say.

According to authorities, Eastern Strawberry Restaurant, located at 704 Port Washington Blvd., was having floors power washed with a gas power washer inside the building.

"Any type of gas-powered piece of equipment emits fumes which causes carbon monoxide," Port Washington Fire Department Chief Bryan Vogeley told Patch. "It's dangerous for them to have that in there."

The fumes from the gas power washer rose to the apartments above the restaurant, causing the tenants on the second floor to smell gas. The tenants notified the fire department.

The Port Washington Fire Department vented the building and brought the high levels of carbon monoxide back to zero, Vogeley said.

Nine people and one police officer were exposed to carbon monoxide, police say.

The police officer was released from the hospital. Police do not have further information on the other nine who fell ill.

The North Hempstead Department and the Nassau County Fire Marshal was also present at the incident. Violations were issued to the restaurant.

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