The Kitsap Sun reports that the Kitsap Public Health District ordered the McDonald’s restaurant at 6755 Highway 303 to shut down this week after an inspector discovered a rat infestation.
Health officials Tuesday suspended the operating permit of the restaurant, located near the Walmart in East Bremerton, because of an “imminent health hazard” caused by rats. It has yet to reopen.
The restaurant’s management has been working with the health department since early September, when an inspector initially found evidence of rats above the tiles in the ceiling of the dining area and in the kitchen. A pest control firm was retained and restaurant staff voluntarily closed to clean and sanitize the building on Sept. 21.
But on Tuesday morning, health inspectors shut down the location. Health officials noted “a large accumulation of feces in the dry goods storage area above the CO2 tanks as well as signs of new feces above tiles around the hot water heater.”
“Furthermore there is evidence of rat activity and feces in the food prep and food storage areas,” inspectors said.