Stink Bomb Causes Emergency at Scarsdale Library

The first “Finals Night” at the Scarsdale Public Library did not go as planned on Tuesday June 15, when a stink bomb was thrown into the library drop box around 7:00 pm. The odorous smell from the stink bomb got into the air conditioning system and took 30-45 minutes to permeate the library. Since concerned staff members were not able to locate the source of the smell they reported it to the fire department.

According to SHS Junior Zach Edelman who was studying at the library at the time, the stink bomb smelled like garlic and onions and the fumes were tolerable. However, once the report was made, emergency responders arrived in droves and forced everyone to leave the building and wait in the library plaza.  As a few people felt ill, the area was taped off and those who had been inside were told that they could not leave the scene until Hazmat workers and the Health Department could investigate.

Edelman reports that the stink bomb incident was treated as a full-scale emergency. In addition to police cars there were fire trucks, Hazmat workers sporting gas masks and even an emergency spill team. The students waited 20-30 minutes for officials to arrive and were told that depending on the findings of the Hzamat team, those who were inside the library may have to be decontaminated and showered off.

Parents of the students drove to the library to pick up their kids but found Olmstead Road closed and were also told to wait for the results of the investigation. While 20-30 students and library staff waited outside, the emergency team determined that the bomb did contain an irritant. Before releasing the group around 9:45 pm, they cautioned those that had been inside the library to call 911 if they felt any discomfort or symptoms.

The library had been scheduled to stay open until 11 pm on Tuesday to accommodate students studying for final exams. But rather than prepare for their tests, the students spent their evening trapped in yellow tape.

Elizabeth Bermel, Director of the Library contacted Scarsdale10583 to say that the library will stay open Wednesday night until 11 pm as originally planned for Final Night and snacks will be served.  She encourages students to come back and use the library to prepare for their tests.