The FBI is investigating a “substance” that was found at a law firm in a high-rise building in Fort Lauderdale Wednesday that led to a large fire rescue response.
The FBI is investigating a "substance" that was found at a law firm in a high-rise building in Fort Lauderdale Wednesday that led to a large fire rescue response.
Multiple rescue trucks responded to the 200 block of E. Las Olas Boulevard after an employee at a law firm in the building reported encountering some sort of substance, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials said.
Fire Chief Stephen Gollan said an employee of the law firm on the 14th floor reported opening an envelope and feeling sick. Believing there was a powder or other threatening substance inside, the firm called 911, Gollan said.
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The employees of the law firm were quarantined to their suite while a hazmat investigation was conducted, officials said.
Paramedics treated the woman at the scene and she didn't need to be hospitalized.
Fire rescue crews determined the substance was not harmful, and crews were turning the investigation over to the FBI, officials said.
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"With any type of potential threat or act of terrorism, the FBI is always notified, so any time that a chemical or biological substance may be utilized a notification is immediately made to the FBI and then it's up to them what they want to do with the case," Gollan said. "Even if there's nothing, even if there's just a threatening letter that's sent or potential threatening, it's still investigated by the FBI."
No other information was immediately available.
Check back with NBC6 for updates.
