Workers Fall Ill After Package Opened in Spokane Courthouse

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The Spokane County Courthouse was evacuated for more than an hour when workers felt ill after a package was opened.

Spokane Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer says a two clerks and sheriff's deputy got sore throats, headaches and chest pains Thursday morning after the box was opened by one of the clerks.

The Spokesman-Review says five workers in the vicinity were quickly asked to leave the area. Officials then decided to evacuate the whole building. The adjacent Public Safety Building also was evacuated.

Schaeffer says the box was tested and nothing hazardous was found.

He says the people who originally felt ill no longer felt symptoms after they got outside.

The FBI and postal inspectors are leading the investigation.