Police say nothing harmful was found in a suspicious package that was delivered to a local law firm Monday and prompted emergency officials to cordon off part of the downtown business district.

Around 4 p.m. Monday, officers of the Elizabethton Police Department responded to the Dugger & Cole Law Office at 625 E. Elk Ave. after someone at the office called 911 to report a suspicious package.

“An attorney had received a letter from an individual, and upon opening the envelope, detected what was described as possibly a powdery substance inside,” EPD Capt. Joy Shoun said. “The employee immediately placed the envelope on the desk, and left the room.”

It was then that office staff called 911 and police responded to the office along with firefighters from the Elizabethton Fire Department.

Police and fire department vehicles blocked off one lane of the 600 block of East Elk Avenue and Post Office Street, which runs between East Elk Avenue and East E Street, was also closed off temporarily. The sidewalk in front of the law office was cordoned off with police tape.

Members of the Carter County Rescue Squad’s HazMat team responded to assist police, Shoun said.

“The letter was tested for the presence of any potential contaminants associated with biohazardous threats. The tests results indicated that none were present,” Shoun said.  “Officers photographed and inspected the letter after the scene was determined to be safe.”

Upon reviewing the letter, Shoun said the contents of the letter did not threaten either the business or the employee who received the letter.

The case is still under investigation, Shoun said.