On Wednesday night at approximately 7:24 p.m. the Cutchogue Fire Department and Southold Town Police were dispatched to the King Kullen Store located on the Main Rd. for an investigation of a report of a strange odor inside the store.

STPD communications had recieved a 911 call from a patron reporting that there was a strong smell in the store and customers were evacuating.

Upon arrival of several patrons were found waiting outside the store. Responders were able to quickly determine that the odor was caused by pepper spray that was errantly discharged by a patron at the cashiers counter while she was rummaging though her purse.

Several patrons and employees in the immediate area were affected by the spray, and experienced raspatory difficulties and eye irritation.

CFD firefighters ventilated the store using fans as the HVAC system dispersed the spray /odor throughout the store.

Ambulances from Cutchogue and Southold FD's treated and transported 2 patients to Eastern Long Island Hospital for treatment, while 2 additional patients were evaluated at the scene.

Crews remained on scene for approximately 1 hour until the store was safe to re-open.