18 Sickened at Seekonk Panera; Carbon Monoxide Eyed

SEEKONK, MA — Customers and staff at the Seekonk Panera fell sick Friday due to a possible carbon monoxide leak.

Those affected were hospitalized and expected to recover.

The incident happened Friday morning; the restaurant was evacuated after people complained of sickness. The store will be closed until further notice, according to Howley Bread Group, a franchisee that operates the store.

The people affected exhibited symptoms "consistent with carbon monoxide exposure," Howley added.

Eighteen people were sickened; five of them hospitalized and released later Friday, according to Howley