Soda bottle explodes on RPI campus, prompting hazmat investigation

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Lombardo

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An exploding soda bottle has prompted an investigation on the campus of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Troy Police Department Capt. John Cooney said a maintenance worker picked up a 2 liter soda bottle earlier today and it burst when he tried to place it in a trash bin. The worker was exposed to an unidentified liquid and transported to the Samaritan Hospital emergency room.

The worker’s injuries do not appear to be serious, although Cooney noted that authorities don’t know what the type of liquid was in the bottle.

Following the incident, authorities tried to locate additional dangerous items and found similar soda bottles in Rousseau Apartments on Beman Lane. Cooney said the dormitory was evacuated and the Capital District Forensic HAZMAT Team was sent to the scene.

At 2:40 p.m., authorities were still at the scene.

UPDATE: An investigation into the room in Rousseau Apartments determined that it wasn’t connected to the earlier explosion, according to Cooney.