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US Senate office cleared after powder found
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-09 09:30
A Capitol office building was evacuated Wednesday night
after sensors indicated the presence of a nerve agent, but subsequent tests
proved negative.
Hazardous material crews work at the Russell
Senate Office Building after it was evacuated on Capitol Hill in
Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006. The building was evacuated Wednesday
night on a hazardous substance alert after police discovered a suspicious
powder in its attic, authorities said. [AP
Photo] |
"Tests initially indicated a nerve agent," said Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly
Schneider. "A subsequent test indicated it is not a nerve agent."
Schneider said about a dozen senators were among 200 people who were asked to
remain in a parking garage.
"We'll keep everyone until we don't have the need to keep them anymore," she
said.
Authorities were awaiting the results of a third test for more conclusive
results.
None of the people gathered in the garage was showing any signs of sickness
or other adverse symptoms, such as a runny nose, that might indicate the
presence of a nerve agent, Schneider said.
The Homeland Security Department did not have an immediate comment, but a
senior counterterror official said it did not immediately appear to be an
emergency.
The Homeland Security Department was investigating, but a senior
counterterror official said it did not immediately appear to be an emergency.
Hazardous material teams and firefighters were dispatched to the Senate
Russell Office Building, the counterterror official
said.
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