January 08, 2022
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice
Around 9 p.m. on Friday night an unknown person entered the 18th Police District in Southwest Philadelphia and released a noxious substance, leading to hazmat being called and the building being evacuated. Officers and detectives were relocated the 19th Police District.
The 18th Police District in West Philly was evacuated on Friday night due to a hazmat situation.
It was about 9:15 p.m. when an unidentified person entered the building on 55th and Pine Streets and released a chemical mixture in the waiting area of the Southwest Detective Division's office, said police spokesperson Jasmine Reilly.
It's still not known exactly what the substance was, but investigators believe it may have been a combination of mace and another chemical.
The concoction caused eye irritation and coughing amongst those working nearby, leading to the declaration of hazmat incident and the evacuation of the building. Officers and detectives were relocated to the 19th Police District according to CBS3's Joe Holden.
The building was evacuated and HAZMAT was called in. Officers and detectives were sent to the 19th District. Extent of injuries, if any, was not immediately clear. Chemical / substance described to be like pepper spray. #CBS3 has crews at the scene. (2) @CBSPhilly
— Joe Holden (@JoeHoldenCBS3) January 8, 2022
The Department of Licenses and Inspections completed their cleaning of the building at around 2 a.m. on Saturday and deemed it safe for people to return. Staff were back in the 18th Police District's building at 10 a.m. Saturday morning.
No injuries or arrests were immediately reported. There is also no description of the suspect at this time as no one was present in the waiting room when the substance was deployed.
