New York State Casino Evacuated Temporarily After Chemical Smell

Posted on: September 8, 2024, 06:06h. 

Last updated on: September 9, 2024, 10:52h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Guests and employees were forced to leave Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel located on New York’s Long Island after a chemical-like odor there on Friday.

The evacuation began at 1 p.m. Officials found nothing suspicious at the property and was allowed back into the Islandia, NY gaming property at about 2:45 p.m.

Three employees were checked out at a local hospital as a precautionary measure, according to Newsday.

The three employees had taken part in what was described as a “welfare check” of a hotel room when they noticed the strange smell.

Emergency crews were alerted and searched the property. Responding units included Suffolk County police officers, firefighters, and EMS staff.

Nothing hazardous was located, according to News 12 Long Island and there’s no word on what caused the suspicious odor.

Out of an abundance of caution, the hotel and casino were evacuated by local law enforcement,” Michael Bonakdar, general manager of Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, said in a statement.

“After a brief evacuation, it was determined that there was no threat to the public, and all patrons were able to re-enter the casino.”

Dizzy Feeling

One guest, Matthew Morano, 49, of Fire Island, NY told Newsday, he had felt a little dizzy. An EMT crew examined him.

They just wanted to check me out,” Morano said. “They offered me to go to the hospital, but I don’t need to take up a spot. I’m OK.”

At about noon, he had checked out of his seventh-floor hotel room.

He remained in the lobby until 1:30 p.m.

“All the sudden, medics started coming in with stretchers,” Morano recalled. “There was a big scene around here.”