Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Times Square Hazmat Response After Viacom Chemical Spill


By

Jen Chung

Published Aug 16, 2010

Modified Aug 16, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Tourists gawking in Times Square

 

WCBS 2


By

Jen Chung

Published Aug 16, 2010

Modified Aug 16, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Last night, Seventh Avenue between 42nd and 48th Streets was closed so the Fire Department could attend to a hazmat situation at 1515 Broadway, better known as the Viacom building where MTV, VH1 and other subsidiaries are housed. Why? Because building workers spilled 10 gallons of hydrogen peroxide on the top floor.

The spill was accidental—it seems that a machine the workers were using malfunctioned. The workers refused medical attention after being decontaminated. WCBS 2 reports that dozens of emergency vehicles were at the scene, but just as a precaution. Which brought up the typical mixed reactions from tourists: "I figured if there was something really wrong, obviously they would make sure we weren’t around. [We’re] just watching them do their job and do it well," said one woman from Idaho, while a Connecticut resident said, “Of course I’m concerned. What’s going on here? Because we know something happened here a few months back."

Tagged

1515 broadway

hazmat

hydrogen peroxide

Times Square

Viacom building


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules

Albert Elia accused officials of "systemic discrimination" against blind people looking to serve on juries.

By

Samantha Max

Published Oct 6, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET


Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey

More than 122,000 cases are being recalled over undeclared food dyes.

By

Giulia Heyward

News

Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey

More than 122,000 cases are being recalled over undeclared food dyes.

By

Giulia Heyward


Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’

By

Caroline Lewis

NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation

By

Charles Lane

Mamdani faces pressure to forge ahead with plan to fix polluting South Bronx market

By

Elizabeth Kim


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .