Firefighters Cleaned Chemical Spill at Kodak Building
A hazmat team managed a small spill of ethyl acetate and ink inside a Rochester laboratory.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Accidents
The Rochester Fire Department responded to a chemical spill at Kodak Building 82 on Wednesday. A hazmat team cleared less than one gallon of ethyl acetate and ink from Lab 501.
Why it matters
The rapid deployment of a hazmat team ensured the contained chemical spill did not pose an uncontrolled risk to the facility or the surrounding local community.
The incident involved three total responders, including one Kodak firefighter and two Rochester Fire Department members. No further legal or investigative actions were reported regarding the event.
The players
Rochester Fire Department
This is the primary municipal agency responsible for fire protection and hazardous materials response in Rochester, New York.
Kodak
This is a historic technology and chemical company with operations located in the Rochester area.
The details
Firefighters wearing protective gear entered Lab 501 to conduct the cleanup of the ethyl acetate and ink mixture. All materials used during the process were gathered into a bucket for final disposal by Kodak personnel.
Timeline
The Rochester Fire Department responded to the chemical spill on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Legal Context
Facility safety protocols are governed by stringent regulatory frameworks that mandate hazardous material handling. This event follows the safety and containment protocols established by the 1986 OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
The incident was contained within the private laboratory, resulting in no required security measures or safety advisories for residents outside of the facility. Local business operations at the building remained unaffected by the minor cleanup process.
The takeaway
Small-scale chemical spills require immediate expert containment to maintain workplace safety standards. Implementing proper protective gear protocols remains the most effective method for managing minor laboratory accidents.
Further reading
For more information on incident reports in the area, visit the Rochester Accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHEC.
