Binghamton School Evacuated for Chemical Investigation

Binghamton firefighters and members of the Broome County hazmat team were sent to a West Side school to investigate what was reported to be a possible chemical spill.

Authorities said emergency units were sent to Seton Catholic Central High School on Seminary Avenue shortly after noon on Wednesday.

An initial report from the school indicated there was concern about a noxious order that was coming from the basement.

A Binghamton fire department truck on Seminary Avenue on March 27, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Seton Catholic Central students and teachers were evacuated from the building as a precaution. They were sent to the nearby Horace Mann Elementary School while firefighters assessed the situation.

The fire department investigation revealed a lid had been removed from a container of mercuric acid that was in a basement storage area. The chemical reacted with oxygen, creating the odor that people had noticed.

It turned out there was no spill or leak in the incident and no other chemicals were involved.

Firefighters at Seton Catholic Central High School in Binghamton. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The lid was put back on the quart-size container. It was not immediately known who removed the lid.

The school was ventilated and students were able to return to the building shortly before their scheduled dismissal time.

Binghamton firefighters were on the scene for just over two hours.

No injuries were reported. A school representative said no one had been in any danger.

VIDEO: The scene at Seton Catholic Central High School after a noxious odor was reported on March 27, 2024.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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