Reports of a hazardous substance being found at the White House have sparked a full-scale investigation by US Secret Service personnel along with emergency response crews.
Access to areas such as the Ellipse, Lafayette Park, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue have been blocked off as part of the investigation. Initial reports state that the suspected item was tested positive for cocaine hydrochloride once it was examined by DC Hazmat workers.
A USSS spokesperson shared a statement: “U.S. Secret Service Uniform Division Officers located an unknown item on the White House complex, As a precaution, the White House grounds were evacuated and the DC Fire Departments Hazmat team responded.”
The White House has been put on lock down due to the alarming hazmat situation which is still under investigation. Fortunately, all road closures have been lifted and regular activities outside the White House are now back to normal.