Hazmat Scare Closes Perry Building in Binghamton

A historic downtown Binghamton building was evacuated because of a possible hazardous materials incident.

Police were called to the Perry Building at 89 Court Street shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Binghamton firefighters and the department's ambulance were sent to the scene. Chenango Street was closed between Court and Henry streets because of police and fire department operations.

Two women who are believed to work in an office in the building walked out with fire medics to the ambulance around 3:50. The women were wearing white protective suits and disposable blue gloves.

A member of a hazardous materials response team from the Broome County Office for Emergency Services entered the building a short time later.

A police sergeant said the building was closed. Several people who work in the building were interviewed by officers.

Fire department assistant chief Mark Whalen said he was unable to comment because the situation was still being assessed.

Juris Ahn, the owner of the Doc Concrescence kava bar on the street level of the building, said his business was not affected by the incident.

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