Carbon Monoxide Sends 7 Panera Bread Employees to the Hospital Before Opening

Story updated 3:47pm 

The Huntington Manor Fire Department responded to a Carbon Monoxide emergency at the Panera Bread at 7:55 am this morning, March 2, 2016. Firefighters were on the scene with a heavy rescue truck and two engines, under the command of Chief Frank McQuade. Then at 8:15am on Wednesday, March 2^{nd 2016}  Huntington Community First Aid Squad (HCFAS)  was dispatched to a call at  Panera Bread at the Walt Whitman Mall for a possible  haz mat situation.  Upon arrival the crew found the restaurant had evacuated all staff members who were experiencing symptoms of  carbon monoxide poisoning which include a dull headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, dizziness and difficult breathing. Huntington Manor FD had determined that there were elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the building.

Huntington Community First Aid Squad had 3 ambulances on the scene.  Two ambulances transported seven victims to Huntington Hospital  for evaluation and one ambulance was kept on standby at the scene. Huntington Hospital stated that all had been treated and released.

The incident is under investigation by the Huntington Town Fire Marshals Office and Suffolk County Police at this time. 

 

 

 

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A Panera Bread spokesperson stated the following:

 

• At 8:15AM this morning, a carbon monoxide leak was reported at an active construction site (formerly Legal Sea Foods) next door to our Huntington Station Panera Bread at Walt Whitman Mall.

 

• Seven store associates were treated and cleared at the scene by first responders and were taken to local area hospitals as a precaution.

 

• The safety and well-being of our Panera Bread guests and staff is our top priority.

 

• We applaud the quick response from the Huntington Manor Police, Fire Departments and Ambulance Squad.

 

• Members of our team worked closely with local authorities to resolve the situation.

 

• We will reopen by 12 Noon today.