Hazardous chemical found in Yonkers leads to evacuation

YONKERS – Emergency responders closed several blocks in the south side of the city after finding four barrels of a hazardous chemical in an alley, officials said.

The discovery came shortly after fire and building officials came to 53 Morris Ave. to conduct an inspection, officials said. Inspectors were examining the structural integrity of the fire-damaged building when they stumbled on the barrels, Third Precinct Police Capt. Peter Butler said. Police and other responders were called to the scene about 3:30 p.m., he said.

Occupants in a building along Morris Avenue were evacuated as a precaution while hazardous materials crews donned suits and set up tents to examine the substance, Butler said. Officials don't know how the barrels ended up in the alley and who put them there. Fire and police crews also broke down the door of a nearby building but officials would not say why they did that.

The incident is still under criminal investigation, Butler said.

The chemical and barrels were removed from the scene and another sample is being sent to Westchester County labs for a more detailed analysis, Butler said. The police captain said that he did not know what kind of chemical the substance was.

Emergency responders cleared the scene about 8 p.m.