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Area Around Union Station Reopens After False Alarm

A D.C. Fire and Rescue official confirmed this afternoon that the suspicious package that shut down a major Capitol Hill intersection for several hours today was a backpack containing no hazardous materials, except dirty diapers.

The suspicious package was discovered just before lunchtime near Union Station and led police and fire officials to issue evacuation orders and call in hazardous material personnel to investigate.

Several buildings near the intersection of North Capitol Street and Massachusetts Avenue were emptied and officers from multiple agencies including the Capitol Police cordoned off several blocks near the post office located at 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE.

Bomb squad and HAZMAT teams gave the all-clear signal at around 1:30 p.m. after opening the backpack and discovering the diapers.

— John McArdle

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