Hazardous package forces evacuation of Sarasota warehouse

A warehouse was evacuated after a hazardous package was found inside, exposing one person to an unknown chemical, according to Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

At about 9 a.m. Friday, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the Sarasota County Fire Department were called to 4299 Express Lane, Sarasota to a report of a suspicious package involving a chemical exposure. The Hazmat team was also called out to the scene.

“One person was exposed to that chemical element,” sheriff’s office spokeswoman Kaitlyn Perez said. “That person has been decontaminated and is doing OK now.”

Federal investigators have taken over the investigation, according to Perez.

As of just after 1:30 p.m., deputies had cleared the scene.

This story was originally published November 16, 2018 at 11:51 AM.