Scarsdale Library Quarantined Due to Stink Bomb

On Tuesday evening, what was supposed to be “Finals Night” —an evening of pre-exam studying for high school students at the Scarsdale Public Library — quickly turned into an evacuation where everyone inside had to be quarantined after an anonymous party placed an unknown, odorous substance in the book drop.  

A stink bomb was left in the book drop of the library last night at approximately 6:30 p.m., permeating the entire library with its smell. Afraid that something was burning, custodian David Lodge attempted to investigate the odor, but decided to call the Scarsdale Fire Department after he was unable to identify the smell's source.

The Library called the Scarsdale Fire Department at 7:15 p.m., who arrived and set up fans outside to attempt to eliminate the odor. Library patrons were instructed to go outside, but were eventually allowed back in the library to continue studying after 10 minutes.

Not able to identify the source of the smell, the SFD decided to take extra precautions and evacuate the entire building at 8 p.m., placing yellow tape along the library’s perimeter and ushering approximately 65 library patrons onto the patio area, including students, librarians and psychotherapists attending a conference about trauma. The Scarsdale Police Department and an ambulance were also deployed to the scene.

A HazMat team arrived from Valhalla in full gear, checking the inside of the building and the book drop, which by that point was completely destroyed. 

After HazMat declared everyone was safe to go home around 9:45 p.m., Sergeant Michael Sicilliano informed patrons that they were free to go, but that anyone with respiratory problems should be examined by the on-scene ambulance or call 9-11 later.  The ambulance corps also informed all present that they should immediately go home, shower and change clothes. 

Students expressed frustration towards the evening’s events as they had come to the library to study, and instead, waited outside for almost two hours.

“It is frustrating, because we came here to study. Tomorrow, we are at a disadvantage,” said Scarsdale High School sophomore Niki Kass, who had been studying for her Global Regents.

Meanwhile, Scarsdale High School junior Stephanie Marandi had started a petition in hopes that students could get a curve on their exams or have the finals count for a lesser percentage of their grade. 

Scarsdale Public Library Director Elizabeth Bermel, who organized “Finals Night,” said that she was “disappointed that [students] couldn’t have Finals Night,” but was nevertheless “impressed [with how the situation was handled].”

“We hope that we can do Finals Night again with better results,” Bermel said. 

“It was an unfortunate situation. But in light of the circumstances, everyone really cooperated, and I was really impressed,” said Captain John Saviano of the Scarsdale Fire Department. “Everyone really worked together for a good outcome. There was no panic, no pandemonium and everyone was relaxed. It was a pleasure to work like that because it could have been a lot worse.”