Homicide and arson detectives on Sunday were investigating a carbon monoxide leak inside a restaurant at a shopping mall on New York’s Long Island that left one person dead and 27 other people injured.
The investigation is focused on the Legal Sea Foods restaurant, whose manager, Steven Nelson, 55, died as a result of the leak Saturday.
Nelson was found dead in the basement on Saturday night.
Officials say an autopsy will to determine the cause of his death.
Authorities say at least 27 others were taken to five area hospitals.
All but a few were treated and later released.
Officers who responded Saturday to a report that a woman had fallen and hit her head at the restaurant started to feel lightheaded and nauseated and suspected a carbon monoxide leak.
On Sunday authorities said a faulty water heater flue pipe caused the leak.
The fumes were circulated in the basement by the restaurant’s ventilation systems, Huntington Chief Fire Marshal Terence McNally said.
The company has been issued a citation for defective equipment.
McNally said the flue pipe will have to be repaired before the restaurant can reopen.
Agencies/Canadajournal