Officials were investigating after an emergency situation forced street closures and the evacuation of both the Tempe Municipal Court and Tempe Police Department headquarters Tuesday morning.
Fire and police crews from Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa and Chandler were on scene near Fifth Street and Mill Avenue for a possible hazardous substance situation in downtown Tempe, the city said via Twitter.
Deputies were called to the area around 9 a.m. for a letter containing a white powdery substance found by a courthouse employee, Andrea Glass, deputy director of Tempe Fire Medical Rescue, said Tuesday morning at the scene of the facts
Both the courthouse and clerk’s offices were evacuated, according to Glass. Tempe Police Department headquarters were also evacuated, but Tempe City Hall did not have to be evacuated.
According to Glass, four people were medically evaluated at the scene and one was taken to a hospital. His condition was unknown.
Initial white matter tests showed no further threat. Officials say hazmat crews will sweep the building before reopening.
Fifth Street from Mill Avenue to Forest Avenue was closed while first responders investigated.
Republic reporter Sam Kmack contributed to this article.
This is a developing story.
