The U.S. Post Office in the Cobalt section of East Hampton was closed again Friday, just one day after an unusual chemical odor was discovered.
On Thursday, a postal worker got sick from a sulfur smell and was taken to the hospital. Police spoke with a patron who described the smell as a burning plastic odor and said that person did not become ill.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded to the post office, at 371 West High Street, and did not smell anything when they went through the building.
But again Friday morning, three more postal employees reported feeling sick and were taken to the hospital, according to the Postal Service.
Federal, state and local officials were back out testing the facility again Friday, trying to pinpoint the problem. That left people like Karen Lee of East Hampton nervous, because she has Christmas packages inside the post office.
“I'd like to know I am going to get what's in the building, or do I go out and do more shopping?” she asked.
In a statement, the Postal Service said that it "treats the safety of its employees and its customers as its highest priority." It added that it is working to get the facility safely opened as soon as possible.
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It's not clear what caused the smell, but representatives from the U.S. Postal ystem said the post office will be closed again Saturday for repairs to the heating system.
Customers are directed to the East Hampton post office at 57 Main Street. The post office is open Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
