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UPDATE: SW Barton reopening after substance found on Metro bus turned out NOT to be a ‘hazardous material’

September 2, 2015 4:42 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood | WS breaking news

(WSB photo. Note: This is NOT the bus on which the substance was found – that’s a few buses down)

4:42 PM: Eastbound Barton is closed right now at 30th SW because of a Seattle Fire response at the bus stop across from Westwood Village. According to the scanner, a “white powder” of some kind was found on a bus, which subsequently was evacuated, and they’re treating it as a possible hazmat situation until otherwise determined. We’ve just arrived at the scene to find out more.

4:48 PM UPDATE: This appears to be happening aboard a C-Line bus – not the one in our photo, a short ways east on Barton, which is now blocked both ways.

4:55 PM UPDATE: We’ve confirmed with SFD at the scene that no one has needed medical treatment. The suspicious substance was called in by the bus driver. Barton remains blocked off between 30th and 26th. (And yes, that is a TV helicopter that just arrived over the scene.)

5:09 PM UPDATE: Crews are suiting up in hazmat gear.

5:25 PM UPDATE: They subsequently went into the bus. We’re waiting to hear/see what happens next. Again, Barton is blocked BOTH WAYS.

5:33 PM: The verdict: Cleaning supplies (photo added above).

Barton will reopen shortly.

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11 Replies to "UPDATE: SW Barton reopening after substance found on Metro bus turned out NOT to be a 'hazardous material'"

  • West Seattle Steve September 2, 2015 (4:53 pm)

    I was just passed by 5 fire units headed South on Delridge, including a Medic 1 and a Cheif’s Car.

    • WSB September 2, 2015 (4:55 pm)

      Yup, another case of send lots of units until and unless it’s determined harmless/safe. No injuries.

  • Chris September 2, 2015 (5:05 pm)

    Powdered donuts?

  • Fla-Grandma September 2, 2015 (5:08 pm)

    Ditto West Seattle Steve. Hope this is much ado about nothing. Glad they are willing to put safety first.

  • jarveena September 2, 2015 (5:12 pm)

    Not trying to be argumentative, but they clearly aren’t worried, or at least not about people there, and only about making a big show. Myself and numerous others walked all around the scene, and right up to the bus in question. No one said anything, and in fact, when one person asked, an officer said it was none of our business. Nice SPD, at least you are consistent.

  • Karen September 2, 2015 (5:14 pm)

    Well I want to personally thank those firefighters and medics potentially putting their lives on the line to make sure we are safe!

  • John September 2, 2015 (5:32 pm)

    Westbound is also blocked just afer the cross walk. Just came through there.

  • WSB September 2, 2015 (5:33 pm)

    We did note in the second update that it’s blocked both ways, but thanks – we’ll re-remind.

  • Oakley34 September 2, 2015 (6:46 pm)

    I’ve been on a few metro buses that could’ve used those supplies.

  • smokeycretin9 September 2, 2015 (9:41 pm)

    ^^^^ Ahhhh Oakley34, you beat me to it.

    alternative: This is the first time Metro buses have seen cleaning supplies, no wonder they freaked out.

  • Steve September 3, 2015 (1:20 pm)

    That’s funny Oakley!
    And that’ll be $58,783.32 billed to the city of Seattle.

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