Suspicious substance at Cedar Rapids Public Works believed to be sugar

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Fire Department spokesperson Greg Buelow says an employee opened an envelope with white powder inside the Public Works building at 1201 6th Street Southwest. It happened around 11:12 this morning.

Buelow says 25 to 30 people on 2nd floor in code enforcement area were evacuated. Cedar Rapids Fire and Hazmat crews removed the envelope from the building and conducted on-site testing of the material.

Buelow says initial testing samples on scene shows the substance is sugar. The samples will be sent to the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa for confirmation.

The employees were able to return to work at approximately 12:20 p.m. and there were no injuries reported.

According to a CRFD press release, there is no indication that the letter was sent with malicious intent.

No further information is available at this time.