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Posted on 10/07/2001 5:51:06 PM PDT by Diddle E. Squat

Posted at 4:02 p.m. EDT Sunday, October 7, 2001 Four people treated in Hialeah after receiving envelope with mystery powder HIALEAH, Fla. -- (AP) -- Four people were hospitalized Sunday after they opened a manila envelope that contained a mysterious white powder, rescue officials said. Two of the four occupants of the house -- a 72-year-old man, his 72-year-old sister-in-law, his 36-year-old daughter and a 70-year-old woman -- developed fevers after they arrived at Palm Springs General Hospital, said Stanley Stark, a spokesman for Hialeah Fire-Rescue Department. He did not know which. The man was going through the home's mail Saturday afternoon when he opened the business-size envelope containing the powder. The home's occupants initially did not think much of the substance, but their fears it could be something harmful grew overnight and they alerted authorities Sunday morning, Stark said. The FBI and a hazardous materials team from Hialeah Fire-Rescue quarantined the one-story home, taking the mail and the clothing the occupants wore at the time the envelope was opened, Stark said. Neighbors on both sides of the home were told not to go outside. Entry to the block was not allowed. It was unclear what the powder was and why the family received a letter containing an unknown substance, Stark said. The FBI analysis of the powder should be completed later Sunday, Stark said.

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