Riverhead Fire Department Chiefs were dispatched to a call at the old post office on Second St. in Riverhead on Tuesday evening, February 28, at around 6 pm. The chiefs encountered occupants of the building with irritations and breathing difficulties. RVAC was also dispatched. The building was evacuated while the air was tested for common irritable gases. With no readings the chiefs decided to call the Brookhaven Town Hazmat team to evaluate the cause. Riverhead also dispatched an engine to stand-by and provide assistance to the hazmat team in decontamination. Fire Police vehicles were also requested to close Second Street from Roanoke Ave. to Griffing Ave. as well as 6-2-9 for scene lighting.
Upon arrival and briefing of the hazmat situation the Brookhaven Town Hazmat team began suiting up in full hazmat PPE. The team entered the building in a pair at a time. Each team searched and tested the rooms for the cause of the irritation. Upon exit of the building each member that was inside was decontaminated in a designated, set up, area.
The cause of the irritation is still under investigation. Riverhead Fire Department was given a signal 5 shortly after midnight.
