Hazmat crews called to SC Supreme Court for ‘suspicious substance’ in letter

A letter containing a “suspicious substance” prompted the response of hazmat crews to the S.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The letter was found around 9:30 a.m. in the mail room of the Supreme Court building, which is on Gervais Street across from the State House, according to Capt. Kelley Hughes of the S.C. Department of Public Safety.

The letter contained a “suspicious substance,” Hughes said. Additional details about the package and substance were not available Tuesday afternoon.

The department’s Bureau of Protective Services cleared the area and secured the package, which was deemed non-hazardous, Hughes said.

The building was not evacuated, Hughes said. First responders have cleared the scene, and the incident remains under investigation.

A Columbia Fire Department spokesman said no streets were closed during the response.

Reporter Avery Wilks contributed.

This story was originally published April 9, 2019 at 12:54 PM.