Manhattan, NY – A chemical spill forced the partial evacuation of a Manhattan nursing home.
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Fire Department, NYPD ESU and Haz-Mat were all on the scene for 40 gallons of a liquid leaked out of the air conditioning system at the Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System on the Upper West Side.
The liquid – which is similar to ammonia – is not toxic, but is an irritant. Firefighters say it was simply a pressure problem and the air conditioning unit will need to be fixed.
"It was caused due to apparently an over pressurization of machine and apparently that can happen from time to time," said FDNY Deputy Chief Tom McKavanagh. "The machine has an over pressurization disk which ruptured and it spilled out onto the floor."
Staff in the basement and first floor were evacuated. Other residents were relocated to safer areas within the building and no injuries were reported.
The elderly center houses 500 seniors. [NY1]