Kirkland police respond to suspicious package at Post Office; scuba equipment to blame
By CARRIE RODRIGUEZ
Kirkland Reporter Editor
October 22, 2012 · Updated 11:40 AM
Kirkland Fire and Police responded to a report of a suspicious package at the Kirkland Post Office Monday morning that was later found to be hissing scuba equipment.
The 9-1-1 call came from a Post Office employee handling the package around 8:30 a.m. The Post Office is located at 721 4th Ave.
The employee reported the box was hissing and releasing gas. The Kirkland and Bellevue Fire Departments responded to a hazardous materials (Haz Mat) incident.
Police and fire quickly evacuated the Post Office and a nearby apartment complex. As a precaution, all roadways leading to the Post Office were closed during the incident.
"We're going to treat this as the worst case scenario," said Kirkland Fire Department battalion chief Mike Haschak.
The owner of the package was contacted and identified the contents as scuba equipment. The contents were verified by the Fire Department Haz Mat Team.
No injuries or property damage occurred.
Contact Kirkland Reporter Editor Carrie Rodriguez at editor@kirklandreporter.com or 1-425-822-9166 (ext 5050).
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