PORTLAND (AP) – The baggage claim at the Portland International Jetport was shut down for nearly six hours Wednesday because of an unidentified substance that was found near the baggage carousel.

The rest of the airport was open and operating as usual after a security guard spotted odd-looking piles of the sand-like substance in the claim area at about 12:15 p.m., said Portland Transportation Director Jeff Monroe.

In following with protocol, the area was evacuated, hazmat teams were called and the substance was tested.

The material was sent to a lab in Waterville for further testing after it was determined that it was not dangerous, Monroe said.

The baggage claim area was reopened at about 6 p.m., he said.

AP-ES-11-07-07 2000EST


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