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.
![](xin_07020309104570723471.jpg) 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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