OAKLAND (BCN) — A downtown Oakland street was shut down Monday morning and a building evacuated after a white powdery substance was found in two envelopes sent to a dental office, a fire official said.
The powder, which was sent to a dental office on the second floor of 388 Ninth St., was reported at 9:22 a.m., Battalion Chief Zoraida Diaz said.
Responding firefighters called in the hazardous materials team and evacuated the building, Diaz said.
Four people who came into contact with the substance in the envelopes were also given medical evaluations and cleared at the scene, Diaz said.
Hazardous materials responders were able to determine the substance was not hazardous and not a biological threat, Diaz said.
Samples and the envelopes were turned over to police for further investigation, Diaz said.
The scene was cleared and the building reopened around 11:45 a.m. The incident closed eastbound Ninth Street at Franklin Street until shortly before noon, according to police.