It’s back to business as usual after the Ottawa police bomb squad responded to a potential hazardous materials situation downtown that turned out to be nothing but a false alarm.
A man working at the Department of Foreign Affairs on the thirteenth floor of 219 Laurier Ave. called 911 at around 9:15 this morning after experiencing itchy eyes and a swollen face, said Marc Messier, spokesperson for Ottawa Fire Services.
An unknown and unopened envelope was on the man’s desk, which prompted him to call 911.
Police immediately shut down Laurier Avenue between Metcalfe and O’Connor streets to traffic. The entire twelfth floor of the building was evacuated as the bomb squad and hazardous materials team seized the envelope.
The man who originally called 911 and four other employees were temporarily quarantined as the package was assessed.
Paramedics on the scene looked at the man, but it is still not clear what caused his symptoms.
At approximately 11 a.m., Laurier Avenue was reopened and the floor's employees were allowed back into work.