- Firefighters and emergency hazmat crews rushed to a military base in Virginia on Tuesday
- At least 11 people reportedly suffered nose bleeds and burning sensations said to have been caused by a letter containing suspicious material
- Three of the people affected by the letter were rushed to hospital and are listed in stable condition
- The emergency was first reported just after 4:30pm at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington on Tuesday
Firefighters and emergency hazmat crews rushed to a military base in Virginia on Tuesday after at least 11 people fell ill because of a letter containing suspicious material.
Earlier reports indicated that at least five people suffered nose bleeds and burning sensations said to have been caused by an unidentified substance.
The emergency was first reported just after 4:30pm at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington on Tuesday, according to ARLnow.com.
Henderson Hall is the headquarters of the US Marine Corps. It is an administrative center that includes both military and civilian personnel.
Firefighters and emergency hazmat crews rushed to a military base in Virginia on Tuesday after at least five people reportedly suffered nose bleeds and burning sensations said to have been caused by a letter containing suspicious material
‘An envelope containing an unknown substance was received, today, aboard Joint Base Ft. Myer-Henderson Hall,’ a spokesperson for the Marine Corps told CNN.
‘Personnel in the affected building took immediate preventative measures by evacuating the building.
‘Base officials and are coordinating with local HAZMAT teams and FBI.
‘Several Marines are receiving medical care as a result of this incident.
‘No additional details are available at this time as the investigation is ongoing.’
The emergency was first reported just after 4:30pm at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington on Tuesday
Firefighters from Arlington County as well as an EMS task force, which is usually summoned to mass casualty scenes, responded to the call.
After the letter in question was opened, the building was promptly evacuated. Authorities also dispatched an emergency contamination unit.