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Officials: Suspicious powder at courthouse not anthrax

Tampa Fire Rescue photo

Tampa Fire Rescue workers put on protective clothing before entering the courthouse annex.

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TBO.com

Published: April 27, 2009

Updated: 04/27/2009 02:35 pm

TAMPA - A suspicious white powder found in an envelope at the Hillsborough County Courthouse this afternoon is not anthrax, Tampa Fire Rescue officials said.

The powder fell out when a clerk opened the envelope. The substance hasn't been identified but is not considered to be hazardous, said Capt. Bill Wade. The clerk is undergoing medical tests.

"These days when you open an envelope and white powder falls out, you have to be suspicious," Wade said.

The envelope was found about 12:45 p.m. in the clerk of the court's felony division on the second-floor of the annex building at Jefferson Street and Kennedy Boulevard. The first and second floors at the north end of the annex were evacuated, but employees have been cleared to return.

Sixty people work in the area but only the clerk who opened the envelope was considered at risk for exposure, Wade said.

Stay with TBO.com for updates.

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