Ronkonkoma FD-Haz-mat at Kohls

December 8, 2008. At approximately 0745, the Ronkonkoma Fire Department was called to respond to the Kohl’s Store on Hawkins Avenue for a reported explosion in the store with victims. Arriving units determined that the battery packs on a floor stripping machine exploded, spraying their contents onto one employee and releasing a vapor cloud into the store. In all 17 people were treated, with 10 being transported to local hospitals by Ronkonkoma, Lakeland, Farmingville, Holbrook and Centereach ambulances. Chief of Department Robert Mallins called in the Brookhaven Town Fire Marshals Haz-Mat which responded and mitigated the hazard while rendering the machine safe.  Units operated for approximately two and a half hours.