An anonymous threatening letter sent to a law office in Langford prompted a hazmat incident after white powder was found inside at approximately 11:30 a.m. Friday.
B.C. Ambulance, along with police, fire and a Capital Regional District hazmat team were on scene at the Reflections Building in Langford and a decontamination tent was set up in front of Hemminger Law Group’s office, located in the 2400-block of Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Staff from Hemminger Law Group would not comment on the situation but police say five people have been decontaminated and taken to hospital for further examination.
“We had a call from the law firm saying they received a threatening letter and inside was some white powder,” said Cst. Sean Van Londersele of the West Shore RCMP. “Taking all safety precautions, we decided to treat it as a dangerous situation and have them all quarantined and at some point have the material tested to determine if its a dangerous substance or not.”
He added that most cases turn out to be nothing and so far it appears everyone taken to hospital will be okay.
The law office was locked down, and everyone who came into contact with the powder was treated by first responders on scene.
“You never know, especially now with Fentanyl out there. It doesn’t take very much,” Van Londersele said.
He would not comment on what could have been the motivation behind sending the powder.
Traffic on Veterans Memorial Parkway is down to one lane for a police incident at the Reflections building in #Langford. #yyj #yyjnews pic.twitter.com/cZM8sQJiOU
— Goldstream Gazette (@GoldstreamNews) September 7, 2018
The RCMP’s explosive disposal unit was called to further assess and ensure the safe removal of the unknown substance.
The incident was isolated to the one business and police reiterated there is no risk to the general public.
Northbound traffic on the parkway is down to one lane.
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Suspicious white powder was sent to a law office in the Reflections Building in Langford Friday, prompting a HAZMAT response along with police, fire and ambulance. (Katherine Engqvist/Black Press)
Fire crews and HAZMAT are on scene at the Reflections Building Friday afternoon. (Katherine Engqvist/News Staff)
