Hundreds evacuated from Sydney office building over white powder scare

Hundreds evacuated from Sydney office building over white powder scare

2011-02-22 13:11:48 GMT+7 (ICT)

SYDNEY (BNO NEWS) -- Police on Tuesday evacuated an office building in the western part of the Australian city of Sydney after a white powder incident. No injuries have been reported.

Officers from Penrith Local Area Command, Fire and Rescue NSW, HAZMAT (hazardous materials) units and NSW Ambulance Paramedics were called to an office building on Henry Street at about 11.30 a.m. local time after an envelope containing white powder was located.

About 700 staff were evacuated from the building as a precaution while investigations into the powder were underway. "The powder was seized for forensic analysis and further tests are currently being undertaken to confirm exactly what the substance is," a police spokesperson said.

A small number of staff who were exposed to the powder were decontaminated, police said, but none of them have displayed any signs of ill health.

Police closed Henry Street whilst the incident was investigated, however it has since been re-opened.

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