Worker Injured At Stony Brook University; Buildings Evacuated Due To Smoke: Officials

STONY BROOK, NY — A subcontractor was injured Thursday while performing maintenance work that led to a smoke condition, prompting the evacuation of the Simons Center, Math, and Physics buildings at Stony Brook University, officials said.

Just before 1 p.m., the university's Division of Risk Management told students and faculty to avoid the area while fire and emergency services were on the scene, according to a post on X.

In a statement from the university's press office, Vice President for Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Security Officer Lawrence Zacarese said a construction subcontractor was injured while performing work inside the basement of the Physics building on campus.

The work had been scheduled and "there was subsequently a smoke condition related to the work being performed," he said.

"There was a minor smoke condition in the building as a result and the University’s Fire and Emergency Services, Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University Police Department, and the Setauket Fire Department responded and evacuated the area buildings," he said. "All affected areas were quickly searched and vented of smoke."

Everyone has since been allowed back inside the building.

The subcontractor was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital and remains there for evaluation.