Suspicious packages sent to offices of Alaska congressmen; buildings evacuated
Aug 15, 2011 | 4629 views | 10 
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Emergency responders coordinate their response to a possible hazerdous materials situation after the Fairbanks Federal Building received a suspicious package on Monday afternoon, Aug. 15, 2011. John Wagner/News-Miner
Emergency responders coordinate their response to a possible hazerdous materials situation after the Fairbanks Federal Building received a suspicious package on Monday afternoon, Aug. 15, 2011. John Wagner/News-Miner
FAIRBANKS - Suspicious packages filled with an unknown white powder were sent to the offices of Sen. Mark Begich, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young today, leading to the evacuation of the Federal Building in Fairbanks and heightened security at congressional offices in Anchorage.
Begich spokeswoman Julie Hasquet said an aide in the Fairbanks office opened an Express Mail package and saw a white powder spurt out. The package was opened inside a plastic bag — a standard safety measure at the office — and there was no indication that the aide had been exposed.
A similar incident happened at Young’s Anchorage office, according to spokesman Luke Miller. When a package to the office was opened, a white substance was discovered inside, he said in an email.
Miller said staff members in the office are OK and have continued working.
A suspicious package also was discovered in Murkowski’s Fairbanks office, spokesman Mike Anderson said in an email, but it wasn’t opened. He said the Federal Protective Service seized the item.
The Alaska congressional delegation has offices in the same buildings in both Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Assistant Fairbanks Fire Chief Ernie Misewicz said two suspicious packages were discovered at the Federal Building, although he couldn’t supply information on where they were found. He said crews were still on scene late this afternoon working to identify the material inside.
The Federal Building in Fairbanks was emptied soon after the package was discovered at 11:22 a.m., Misewicz said, and Peterson Towers in Anchorage was being tightly monitored today. Hasquet said Begich’s offices in both locations were targeted.
Hasquet said the Fairbanks aide, who she declined to identify, was alone in the office when the package was opened. The aide remains under quarantine until tests are done to determine whether the unknown power is dangerous. Hasquet said the package had a return address from Arizona.
Murkowski said congressional staff are thoroughly trained to identify suspicious mail and open it safely. Mail delivered to Washington D.C. offices is even irradiated before it is opened, she said.
In Fairbanks, two fire trucks and an apparent hazardous materials unit were outside the Federal Building at about 2:30 p.m. Personnel at the site had been evacuated earlier, and only about a half-dozen cars remained in the parking lot.
Misewicz said the Fairbanks North Star Borough Hazardous Material team and Eielson Fire Department were requested to help identify the powdery material. Since the incident occurred in a federal building, the FBI is also part of the investigation.
Miller said Young’s Anchorage office is cooperating with authorities investigating the incident, which includes Federal Protective Service, the Anchorage Police Department and Anchorage Fire Department. He said the staff was pleased with the timely response to the incident.
Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Suspicious packages sent to offices of Alaska congressmen buildings evacuated
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