Calgary Fire Department responds to downtown 'white powder' incident

At approximately 11:40 this morning, Calgary fire crews were called to the Calgary Courts Centre at 6 Avenue and 5 Street S.W. for a suspicious package on the eighth floor containing a white powder. The CFD (Calgary Fire Department) Hazardous Materials Team quarantined 22 people on the eighth floor and evacuated the seventh and ninth floors as a precaution. The building's ventilation system was also shut down to stop any possible spread of the unknown substance. Several individuals on the eighth floor did complain of some slight irritation but were not in medical distress.

Hazardous materials officers worked on scene to identify the substance by using highly sensitive and specialized equipment. The powder was determined not to be hazardous and of no risk to anybody in the building. The 22 individuals were released from quarantine and evacuees were allowed back onto the seventh and ninth floors.

There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident and the Calgary Police General Investigations Unit is investigating the origin of this envelope and who is responsible. The incident was resolved at approximately 2 p.m.

If anybody has any information which may assist police and finding those responsible, please contact the CPS non emergency number at 403-266-1234 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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