Suspicious package with white powder found at Canadian university

Just heard a report that a building at Brock University is under quarantine. A suspicious package with white powder has been found with a threatening note attached. 11 people are under quarantine until the authorities determine if the powder is harmful. Unlikely this is an Al Queda attack (did they ever find who was behind the white powder attacks in the states?).....but a very harmful prank. If it was some student looking to go for shock value, he should be sentenced. Unfortunate if pranks are getting to this degree. But the whole white powder idea is scary, and this has the potential to be lethal. If so...why Brock? Will continue to watch for updates.

6 overcome by toxic fumes at Brock University

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. -- Six people have been overcome by fumes after opening a package at Brock University.

A fire department official tells The Canadian Press that hazardous materials officials are on the scene at the school's McKenzie Chown complex.

It's not clear what the substance is or whether there are any serious injuries.

The building has been evacuated.

Early media reports said 12 people were overcome by the fumes.

Campus security is on the scene as well.

"We don't know what kind of chemical it is,'' said the fire department official, who did not give her name.

"We have the regional hazmat team on the scene.''

She said the condition of the patients is unknown.

"We're just getting them out of the building now,'' she said.

This is all I can find for now.

To x-reference, here is another thread on the subject
www.abovetopsecret.com...

however, this thread here is the original one, please keep comments here.

When I posted earlier I forgot to mention that I had seen this report on CH's noon news (Hamilton, Ont.), then a quick report on CTV's NewsNet (sorry for the confusion justgeneric ). Umbrax was the first to find an internet source for the material.

It is strange that it hasn't hit the front page of headlines yet. Points closer to a prank or stunt of a disgruntled student/employee. Maybe they'll say more at 6.

AM 900 CHLAM

My apologies...I guess it's a first come first serve deal huh?

For the record, there's absolutely no mention anywhere else from any news source (and I've been a lookin') to corroborate this report. It seems to be a singular item. Nevertheless...here's the article in it's entirety:

Chaos At Brock University
Sep, 20 2006 - 1:50 PM

ST.CATHARINES (AM900 CHML) - Emergency officials have been called to a chaotic scene at Brock University in St.Catharines.

They were called late this morning, after a worker in Brock's mailroom found an unknown white substance in an envelope, along with a veiled threat.

The white substance had not been identified as of Wednesday afternoon, however six people who were exposed and overcome by fumes have been decontaminated.

The envelope was found on the 12th floor of the Schmon Tower.

Brock University has issued a statement saying that there are no reported health issues and that all classes are scheduled to continue until further notice.

BTW not that I'm usually touchy about things, but lately there's been so many "news items" circulating and being toted as true...and the "war on terrorism" seems to spawn such mass speculation. In this case, seeing as there's nothing to even point that direction...

WOW! I just got a call from Brock University just now while I was typing this...

The Media relations director has just added me to alist to receive the impending media release...will have it for you asap.

BTW he assures it was a non toxic substance and all is well and good there Great News!!!

So impressed they took time out to call me personally about it...very nice guy!

Will post in a second after I get the email open and find the link

Hello,

The Niagara Regional Police's Media Release "Suspicious Envelope Discovered at Brock University Determined to be Non-Harm Causing" is attached.

Jeff-S.

--

================================================================================
Jeffrey Sinibaldi
Media Relations Officer
Brock University
Office of University Communications
St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1
(905) 688-5550, ext. 4687
[email protected]
[\quote]

The actual report is filed as a PDF (I don't know how to upload a PDF so i copied it to MS word)

From the Niagra Regional Police Service

MEDIA RELEASE:

Suspicious Envelope Discovered at Brock University Determined to be Non-Harm Causing
Shortly after 10:30 a.m. on September 20th, 2006 a suspicious envelope was discovered on the 12th
Floor of the Schmon Tower at Brock University in St.Catharines. As a result of the discovery of the
envelope emergency personnel were called and attended.
I
nformation was received by emergency personnel that indicated the envelope had contained a veiled
threat as it related to exposure to a dangerous substance. Six (6) employees of Brock University had
been exposed to the envelope and were immediately isolated in a location on the 12th Floor.
Employees in the university mailroom were also advised of the discovery and seven (7) employees
were isolated in the mailroom. An employee in the Walker Complex of Brock University also made
the discovery of a small amount of white powder on the floor, as a result, three (3) employees at the
Walker Complex were isolated. All isolation efforts were done so as a pre-cautionary measure. No
known physical illnesses were reported amongst the isolated employees, and they were being
continually monitored by emergency medical staff.
Emergency personnel from the Niagara Regional Police Service, St.Catharines Fire Department,
Niagara Emergency Medical Services and the Niagara Region Public Health Department were on-site
at the university during the incident.
The suspicious envelope and a sample of the powder discovered in the Walker Complex were seized
by police, and immediately sent for testing at a nearby location.
The results of those tests have concluded that the substance located in the Walker Complex was not
a harm-causing agent but rather Whey Powder (Protein Powder). The suspicious envelope was
also tested, no harm-causing agents were discovered on or in relation to the envelope.
_______________ __ ____________" _______ ______________________ __ 2
All isolated individuals were interviewed by the Public Health Department and it was determined that
that they had suffered no ill effects. All individuals were advised of the emergency efforts and
isolation was ended as soon as possible.
Emergency personnel have since cleared the area at Brock University and all locations within.
A criminal investigation into the original source of the envelope continues, that investigation is being
conducted by members of the 1 District – Criminal Investigations Branch in St.Catharines.
-30-

Niagra Regional Police Service MEDIA RELEASE

Will open the actual PDF document.

_____

I am so very glad it wasn't a terrorist attack...just a prank that scared the crap outta everyone.

Good Job Justgeneric You've been all over this. Thank god it was just......whey powder? The thought that any white powdery substance will cause certain panic/quarantines is scary. Hope they find the culprit and repremand them appropriately.

Sorry to get so snarky about sources...pet peeve...PMS...whatever hee hee

It's a crazy world HUH?

I am surprised though that I got a call...too bad more Media Relations can't be like that...I even told him I wasn't a journalist and had no interest other than to verify info and make sure everyone was okay...sent him a thanks

Great ending to what could have been worse.

Enjoy the day wherever yah are!

I think that white cold stuff is that thing called Snow.

Canada has a bunch of it.



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[edit on 20/9/2006 by Umbrax]