September 9, 2023, 1657 hours. The Stony Brook Fire Department was dispatched to Kumo Japanese Steakhouse for reports of numerous people feeling ill. The building was evacuated, additional ambulances were called and firefighters metered the building for CO and CO2. Ambulances from Stony Brook, Setauket, Nesconset, Coram, Centereach, Stony Brook University Hospital, SBVAC, Terryville, St. James, Port Jeff, Ronkonkoma, Selden, and Farmingville were requested. A total of 15 patients were transported to Stony Brook, St. Charles and Mather Hospitals, while 28 people in total were sickened. A number of people claim to have been sickened after eating at the establishment earlier in the week. Those people are not included in this total. Brookhaven Town Fire Marshals responded to the scene as did the Suffolk County Health Department.
The Department of Health Services believes the likely culprit was “mishandled and improperly stored cooked rice that was served” at Kumo Sushi & Steakhouse on Nesconset Highway, said Suffolk County spokesperson Marykate Guilfoyle. The health department issued 15 violations to the restaurant, including eight for food borne illness risk factors, Guilfoyle said.
Jeremy Walters photos. Max Mayzus top shot.
