Calgary fire crews called to downtown apartment for hazardous materials expertise

At approximately 10:25 this morning, Calgary fire crews were called to an apartment building at the 800 block of 4 Avenue S.W. for the presence of an unknown white powder. The Calgary Police Service had requested CFD's hazardous materials team for their expertise in containing and identifying the substance, which they had discovered earlier while responding to a death at that location. The body, found in a suite on the 6th floor, had been deceased for approximately a week and has been determined to be not suspicious.

As a precaution, fire crews evacuated the 5th and 6th floors of the building, resulting a total of 10 people being temporarily displaced until the powder could be safely contained and identified. Calgary fire hazardous materials crews entered the suite wearing protective haz mat suits. Samples of the substance were assessed and provided to CPS for their investigation.

No residents of the building reported any exposure and symptoms as result of the substance. Haz mat crews have determined that the white powder contains cocaine. Calgary police have subsequently taken control of the scene.

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