A medical office building in northwest Atlanta was evacuated Wednesday morning before a suspicious package was determined to be only a common household product, according to fire officials.
Crews responded at around 9 a.m. to the Piedmont West building at 1800 Howell Mill Road after someone found the substance that had been sent through the mail, Atlanta fire Battalion Chief Taurus Durrah told reporters. He said the package was sent intentionally and was enough to warrant a response.
“As of right now this is not an accident,” Durrah added.
Officials arrived on the scene and quickly evacuated the fourth floor where the substance was found, forcing more than a hundred health care workers and other employees to wait outside during the investigation.
“With any hazmat, it’s not a situation that you try and rush to,” Durrah said. “Because you want to make sure you know what it is.”
Atlanta police, fire crews and agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security also responded to the scene, authorities said. An all clear was given about an hour later after crews checked the floor. No injuries were reported.
“This scene has been turned over to the FBI for investigation so they can determine where this came from and what is going on,” Durrah added.
The suite where the package was found will remain closed during the investigation.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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