The evacuation of a Canada Post facility due by a suspicious package Jan. 17, turned out to be a false alarm, according to a release from the City of Airdrie.
Shortly before 9:15 a.m., the Airdrie Fire Department (AFD) was notified by Canada Post staff of a package that was leaking a white, powder-like substance in the Kingsview Boulevard facility's sorting area.
"Fire Command immediately requested that both the RCMP and an AHS Incident Response Paramedic (IRP), with specialized HAZMAT response training, attend the scene to provide assistance," according to the Jan. 17 release.
While 42 Canada Post staff members were evacuated, firefighters in full protective gear entered the sorting area to view the package and collect information from the attached shipping label.
"RCMP used this information to contact the person receiving the package who then assisted with identifying the contents," the release stated. "It was confirmed that the package contained kitchen items, including a small canister of baking powder."
Though no injuries were reported, according to the release, possible exposure to the unknown substance resulted in one patient being assessed on scene by the IRP.
The building was deemed safe after about an hour and employees were allowed to return to work.