Suspicious envelope with white powder causes courthouse evacuation

The third floor of the courthouse remained off-limits for about three hours. (Courtesy photo)

DOVER - The third floor of the Strafford County Superior Court building was evacuated for nearly three hours after a suspicious white powder was found in an envelope opened by a staffer there.

The Sheriff's Office, the Dover Fire Department and EMS responded to the call around 12:30 p.m., immediately evacuating the third floor of the Justice Administrative Building as a precaution.

Members of the Seacoast Technical Assistance Response Team (START) which included Portsmouth, Dover and Rochester Fire Department departments also responded.

The white powdery substance was determined not to be hazardous, however, one staff member of the Superior Court was transported by Dover EMS to a local hospital as a precautionary measure.

The third floor was reopened around 3:15 p.m.

An investigation into the incident continues.