Pine County Gov't Center Evacuated Due To Suspicious Mail

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Six envelopes containing an unknown white powdery substance prompted the evacuation of the Pine County Government Center Tuesday afternoon, according to the Pine County Sheriff's Office.

The Pine County Emergency dispatch was notified at 1:30 p.m. of the six envelopes, which were delivered to several departments within the government center.

The envelopes were immediately isolated to two locations within the government center and some 200 employees and visitors were evacuated.

As of 3:30 p.m., a HAZMAT team from the Saint Paul Fire Department arrived and was conducting an assessment of the substance at the scene. An analysis result is anticipated to be done overnight.

So far, all the envelopes are believed to have come from the same source, the fire department says.

No injuries have been reported.

The government center will be closed pending word from the fire department.