Saw Mill River Contamination Concerns Arise After Yonkers Warehouse Fire
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A warehouse fire has sparked environmental concerns in Yonkers.
Hazmat crews are on the scene trying to prevent chemicals from contaminating the Saw Mill River.
Fire officials have received several complaints about a chemical smell in the area but so far an evacuation order has not been issued.
WCBS 880's Sean Adams reports
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The fire erupted at the paint warehouse on Saw Mill River Road around 10 p.m. Tuesday night and almost immediately someone nearby saw the flames and alerted firefighters stationed less than one block away.
"We got a good head start and it just went through the whole building," a fire official said.
At the height of the blaze, about 75 firefighters were on the scene. Four firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The building was unoccupied.
Officials have set up booms and laid sand near the Saw Mill River to stop the chemical runoff from seeping into the water.
"I don't know what damage was done prior to getting the booms in, that's the DEP's concern," a fire official said.
A spokeswoman for the Red Cross said her organization is standing by in the event of an evacuation.
The fire chief said the one-story warehouse will have to be completely leveled.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
