Crime & Safety
South End Polling Location Reopened After White Powder Scare
Hazmat determined the substance was just baking soda, fire officials said.
SOUTH BOSTON, MA —A South End polling location has been reopened after a white powder found at the building and caused it to be shuttered for about a half hour was determined to be harmless, police said.
Earlier this evening white powder was reported to have been found in an absentee ballot envelope at 735 Shawmut Ave. A hazmat unit, along with police and fire crews helped evacuate the building, but just before 5:30 p.m. the crews gave the all clear.
"The found substance appears to be innocuous and not suspicious in nature," said police.
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It's not clear how many voters were affected by the scare. But election officials said the disruption lasted minutes.
Haz-Mat Response to 735 Shawmut Ave. Roxbury at approx. 4:40 PM for an unknown powder substance. Substance confirmed to be non-hazardous/baking soda. Baking soda was located inside an envelope with an absentee ballot. This is a polling station. @bostonpolice investigating. pic.twitter.com/acKglUt59p
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) November 7, 2018
We'll update as more information becomes available.
Find out what's happening in South Endfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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