TROY, NY - On September 20th around 1:50 PM, the city of Troy’s Fire Department was dispatched by the Troy Police Department to 501 Broadway, the News Apartments, for a reported hazardous materials incident. Engine 2, Truck 2, the rescue squad, Rensselaer County Hazmat unit, Medic 4, and the battalion chief responded to the scene. On arrival, the chief was briefed by the police department on the incident inside of the apartment and the chief notified all units face-to-face on scene of what they had inside of the building on the fourth-floor. Members of the City of Troy's Fire Department quickly set up for a level B hazardous materials incident entry to the apartments.

Troy Police pulled the fire alarm to the building, evacuating all of the residents from the structure. Firefighters got their vitals taken and began to be placed into their level B hazardous materials incident suits. After the building was confirmed by the police department to be evacuated, the hazardous materials team made entry to the fourth-floor of the building where the affected apartment was located. With multiple metering devices and testers, the fire department made their way outside of the structure to command and notified them of their findings. It was determined afterwards that the scene was no longer a threat to the residents inside of the building.

Members of the fire department that did not make entry to the structure conducted a dry decontamination of the firefighters on scene. The Troy Fire Department picked up from the scene and went back into service just after 3 PM. The Troy Police Department took over the investigation into the chemical suicide and notified the residents that they could return to the building. The public is reminded that the 988 lifeline is free, and when you call, text, or chat the 988 lifeline, your conversation is confidential. The 988 hotlines provide you with a judgment free zone and you can talk to somebody that will listen to you and can help you off of the edge. Make the call when you need help.