A woman was in custody Wednesday after throwing an unidentified powdery substance in the reception area of the U.S. attorney's office in Providence, prompting an evacuation, authorities said.
Jim Martin, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha, says the woman entered the 8th floor reception area, talked to a security guard and then threw the powder on the floor and elsewhere. Martin would not comment on what the woman said to the guard.
"It Is too early to tell what kind of substance was thrown," Martin told Fox News. He said a hazmat team is at the scene.
There were a "couple of dozen" employees in the office at the time according to Martin. He said that everyone evacuated safely in a predetermined location nearby.
Fire crews and federal law enforcement responded to the scene, and the floor was evacuated. Martin said authorities are testing the substance to determine whether it poses a danger.
The woman was taken into custody. She has not been publicly identified.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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