A UK city’s food court underwent a rapid evacuation following the discovery of a container containing a “suspicious dark powder substance.” The incident at the Arndale food court prompted a swift response from law enforcement and fire services on Wednesday, January 7.
Upon finding the unsettling substance, the food court staff promptly cleared the area as a precautionary measure. Despite the unsettling discovery, authorities confirmed that there was no immediate danger present. Greater Manchester Police reassured the public by stating that the situation was being managed, and there was no identified risk at that time.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police mentioned, “We’re currently at the Arndale Centre after a report of a suspicious dark powder substance in a container in the food court. The area has been evacuated by staff purely as a precaution, and we are working to ensure everything is okay. No viable risk has been identified at this time, and we will look to return the Centre to normal as soon as possible. We thank those in the area for their cooperation while we ensure the area is safe.”
A representative from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) reported that firefighters responded to a call about a suspicious package at the Arndale center in Manchester city center around 6 pm on Wednesday, January 7. The area was evacuated as a precaution by the Greater Manchester Police. Following investigations, it was determined that the package did not pose any risk.
Fire crews from Manchester Central fire station, along with GMFRS’s Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection Officer, attended the scene, but later handed over the incident to the police and departed.