Hazmat Teams Called To Beth El Synagogue: Baltimore County Fire

PIKESVILLE, MD — Emergency personnel including hazmat crews and medics were called to Beth El synagogue in Pikesville on Monday afternoon, authorities said. A suspicious envelope prompted the response, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department.

Two adults were evaluated for minor symptoms after opening an envelope at the office of the synagogue, officials reported, stating nobody was hospitalized.

Crews were dispatched to the Bel El campus in the 8100 block of Park Heights Avenue at 12:45 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, officials said. Multiple people had reported feeling ill after a package was opened.

UPDATE: 3 Suspicious Letters In Synagogues In Baltimore County Reported

They had minor nausea, The Baltimore Sun reported.

After scanning the building with meters for chemicals and gases, crews did not detect anything significant, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department.

Authorities said that 33 staff and 78 children remained inside during the investigation. There is a school at the campus in addition to the synagogue. Initially, fire officials reported the incident occurred at the school; they later issued a correction indicating the envelope was received at the synagogue office.

Park Heights Avenue is closed at Interstate 695 for police activity, the Maryland State Highway Administration reported before 3:30 p.m.

#BREAKING Several people report illness after opening package at Beth El School in Pikesville https://t.co/zrSI9k6CDH
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) December" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/fox5dc/sta... 17, 2018