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Suspicious substance in Helena not harmful, likely from Butte

Posted: Mar 9, 2010 12:17 PM by Marnee Banks/KXLH
Updated: Mar 9, 2010 3:13 PM

Rating: 5.0 (4 votes)

Authorities have reported that the suspicious substance that caused a partial evacuation of the third floor of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry building in Helena is not harmful and posed no danger to occupants.

Initial tests of the substance revealed that it is not dangerous, although further testing will be done to determine exactly what it is.

Authorities also announced that the postmark on the envelope containing the substance is from Butte, and that they have a "person of interest" from the Butte area that they plan to contact.


(1:15 p.m.) Three employees of the MT Department of Labor & Industry and one Capitol police officer have been isolated after exposure to a suspicious powder on Tuesday morning.

Hazmat team enters DLI building in HelenaAccording to officials, an envelope was received at DLI mid-morning on Tuesday, and when it was opened, a white powder was released.

All workers on the third floor of the DLI building have been relocated to other areas.

Staff members are being permitted to leave, but only authorized personnel are permitted entry to the building.

Shortly after noon, hazmat team members suited up in order to transport the suspicious substance to the state lab across the street from the DLI building.


(First Report, Tuesday noon) Reports of a suspicious substance at the Montana Department of Labor & Industry sparked a a partial evacuation on Tuesday morning in Helena.

Emergency response crews, including firefighters, a hazardous materials team, and police, responded quickly and are still investigating the situation.

There are no reports of illness or injury at this time.

The News Station's Marnee Banks is on the scene gathering information and we will bring you more information as it becomes available.

DLI building evacuated in Helena

DLI building evacuated in Helena

It was just two months ago that another downtown Helena building was evacuated; in that instance, city workers were re-lining sewer pipes near the Power Building with a styrene solution and the fumes from that process were filling the building, causing several people to become ill.

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