RANSON, W.Va. - Emergency responders say all is well following the discovery of a package that caused quite a commotion at an Eastern Panhandle post office.
Just before 8 a.m. today, employees at the Ransom Post Office reported they heard the parcel "pop" and saw a white powdery substance inside. However, Citizens Fire Co. Sgt. Ronald Fletcher told reporters around 11:30 a.m. that no such substance had been found after the completion of air quality sampling.
"There is nothing suspicious at this time, the package was intact and there was no explosion," Fletcher said.
Fletcher also dispelled a rumor that the suspicious package had been in a personal locker. Instead, it was located in a parcel storage area.
No additional information on the package's sender or destination was made available.
Following the report, 15 post office employees were quarantined and are being monitored but none are showing any adverse reactions or symptoms. A robot supplied by the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department was sent into the building.
Since responding to the 7:47 a.m. call, officials have limited access to Ranson Square off of Ambrose Drive. However, businesses remain open despite the ongoing investigation.
A large section has been taped off to limit access to the public and media. Fletcher said an effort has been made to inform residents of nearby apartments.
Emergency responders are now meeting with postal officials who are expected to do another assessment.
