An “unknown white powder” which was later determined to be non-hazardous led to the evacuation of the Canada Post facility on Rothesay Avenue on Monday.
Emergency crews from several agencies were called to the facility on the city’s east side around 11 a.m. Monday.
The Saint John Fire Department and its Hazmat Unit were at the scene, along with the Saint John Police Force and at least one ambulance.
Barry Oickle, a platoon chief with the fire department, said the building was evacuated as a precaution as they worked to identify the powder.
Employees were not be allowed back inside until the substance is identified and the all-clear was given, he said.
Oickle said after conducting a series of tests on the substance, they determined it was not hazardous. The four employees who came into contact with it were made aware of the results, he said.
Fire crews cleared the scene around 3:45 p.m. Monday and the building was handed back over to Canada Post, said Oickle.
Workers could be seen outside of the building early Monday afternoon but declined to comment on the situation.
Valérie Chartrand, a spokesperson for Canada Post, also confirmed that the substance was determined to be “non-hazardous” but did not elaborate.
“An unknown substance was identified at the Saint John facility on Rothesay Avenue this morning. We have internal safety procedures that were followed. Authorities were called in to investigate,” wrote Chartrand.
Chartrand said late Monday afternoon that mail processing would resume shortly.
DEVELOPING: Emergency crews, including the Saint John Fire Department’s Hazmat Unit, are on scene at Canada Post on Rothesay Avenue. Employees can be seen outside of the building but they’ve declined to comment. pic.twitter.com/koIZunGpGB
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) August 31, 2020
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