FDNY and NYPD Roosevelt Island Hazardous Material Investigation This Evening - Dead Squirrels and White Powder Found On Southtown Riverwalk Buildings Lawn

Image of FDNY Hazardous Material Squad Responding to Roosevelt Island Incident This Evening

Earlier this evening a Roosevelt Island resident (UPDATE - who is also a licensed NYS Wildlife animal rehabilitator) spotted a dead squirrel and white powder grain on the lawn between Southtown Riverwalk Buildings at 455 and 465 Main Street

as well as another dead squirrel head down on a tree.

(UPDATE 7/24 - There were 3 dead squirrels in total)

She called 911 and Roosevelt Island Public Safety followed by FDNY and NYPD responded

including the FDNY Hazardous Materials Unit.

Also, the NYC Office Of Emergency Management arrived later in the evening.

There was concern that the white powder grain might be rat poison or some other hazardous substance. Last January, one Roosevelt Island dog was killed and another injured after ingesting rat poison.

The FDNY roped off the area with caution tape,

examined the dead squirrels and lawn area,

took a sample from the lawn and squirrel

and began testing to determine what was the substance on the lawn.

Preliminary results of the tests, which still need to be confirmed, indicated the substance found on the lawn was arabinic acid.

The area was then cordoned off awaiting the appropriate personnel to remove the squirrels.

Will have more on this incident as information becomes available.