Post office explosion was popping light bulb

[The Straight Story]

Post office explosion was popping light bulb

7 comments Nov. 4, 2011 11:59 AM
Associated Press

RANSON, W.Va. - A reported exploding package and spray of white powder that sent emergency units rushing to a small-town post office turned out to be just the pop of a malfunctioning fluorescent light bulb, authorities said Friday.

The white powder that workers at the U.S. Post Office in Ranson saw was most likely smoke from the damaged bulb, said Ronald Fletcher, a firefighter with Citizens Fire Co. and the designated incident spokesman.

X-rays also revealed that a suspicious package in a storage locker contained only cookies, he said.

The scare Friday morning triggered an evacuation of the building and the temporary quarantine of 15 people inside a school bus. Hazardous materials and bomb experts, State Police units, fire crews and more responded to the scene at a strip mall.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/11/04/20111104west-virginia-post-office-package-explodes-white-powerder-ON.html

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Glad they took precautions

[Tesha]

2. There was a time, not that long ago, when folks wouldn't have over-reacted.

But common sense has been drummed out of us in the
constant drumbeat of "Terra Terra Terra!"

Tesha

[Downwinder]

3. Good thing it didn't happen in AZ.

Someone might have ventilated the building.