Unknown substance behind Saskatoon hotel non-hazardous: Fire

Fire crews and the Haz-Mat team responded to a call about an unknown white powder found behind 1715 Idylwyld Dr. N on Wednesday morning.

The call came in at 8:32 a.m., with one woman coming into direct contact with the substance.

The Saskatoon Fire Department battalion chief at the scene told a 650 CKOM reporter the woman had touched and tasted the powder.

Battalion Chief on scene tells me this woman touched and tasted the unknown white powder. Right now waiting for test results to determine if it’s hazardous #yxe @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/aJ6rSjUG1y

— Brent Bosker (@brentbosker) September 18, 2019

A neighbour, Stanley Hagberag, said the woman was walking her dog when she discovered the substance on the ground.

“She said she touched it to her lips (and) her lip went numb so she called the fire department,” Hagberag told reporters. “They came and quarantined her.”

Around noon the fire department said test results determined the substance was non-hazardous.

“We tested the substance on-site with some of our portable analysis equipment and the results came back as being calcium carbonate, which for example, is a component of drywall.” said Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Rodger.

Rodger also said if you see a suspicious substance, it’s best to not go near it and let the experts deal with it.

“Rule number one is, don’t come in contact with it. If there is something of concern, phone 911 and contact us. Don’t put yourself in harms way.”

The woman was taken to hospital as a precaution.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker