The US Secret Service are currently investigating a hazardous material incident close to the White House grounds in Washington DC.
Emergency personnel have responded to reports of a hazardous material located within the West Wing and significant closures have been put into place with traffic on the Ellipse, Lafayette Park, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue being affected.
Hazmat crews on the scene were able to identify the substance as cocaine hydrochloride through testing and it has since been neutralized.
According to the US Secret Service spokesperson, “U.S. Secret Service Uniform Division Officers located an unknown item on the White House complex. As a precaution, the White House grounds were evacuated, and the DC Fire Departments Hazmat team responded.”
Thankfully, all road closures have now been lifted following the resolution of the incident.
