Milford HAZ-MAT Unit Responds To Report Of Package With 'Suspicious White Powder'

MILFORD, CT — The city's HAZ-MAT Unit was called into action Thursday afternoon after a package reportedly containing "a suspicious white powder" was delivered to the Milford Health Department at 82 New Haven Ave., according to fire officials.

The expected package was opened by a health department employee, and the "white powdery substance was loosely in the box along with the item that was ordered."

Milford Firefighters along with their HAZ-MAT Unit, Milford Police, State Police and DEEP all responded to the scene, and five health department employees, who were exposed to the substance, were quarantined inside of the building. The department's remaining workers were evacuated out of the building.

HAZ-MAT Technicians identified the substance as "an absorbent material used in the packaging of electronic equipment and not deemed as a hazard." All health department employees were then allowed back into the building.

"Although this package was expected, any type of suspicious package, or one that contains an unknown substance should be immediately reported by calling 911," stated fire officials.

Photo credit: Anthony Fabrizi