(Image: Matt Mitgang)

The Seattle Police Department evacuated its East Precinct and nearby businesses were cleared due to worries about a hazardous material response at the 12th at Pine facility early Thursday morning.

The situation was first reported to Seattle Fire at 7:40 AM and a hazardous materials response team was dispatched to the scene.

Police were also clearing nearby businesses, according to East Precinct radio updates.

(Image: Matt Mitgang)

UPDATE 9:42 AM: Seattle Fire says it was able to determine the bagged material was not hazardous after taking over the scene from SPD’s bomb squad who also investigated the incident. SFD said police were now continuing their investigation. Seattle Fire, however, advised police to clean the carpet the suspicious bag was left on, according to one emergency radio update.

Residents who had cleared from nearby apartment buildings were told they could now proceed through the area to return home.

SPD reported it had taken one person into custody near 11th and Pine. An ambulance was called to that scene for a suspect reported in possible crisis.

Traffic was being diverted in the area around 12th and Pine as police and emergency vehicles responded to the scene.

A Seattle Fire spokesperson said only that the department had responded to the building for the possible hazardous material response and referred all further questions to SPD.

UPDATE: SPD provided little information on the incident, sending only this brief to media:

At approximately 7:30 a.m., an item was found around the East Precinct. The area around the precinct was evacuated and cordoned off as precaution. The item was deemed safe by Seattle Fire Department and SPD detectives in ABS. The streets were reopened approximately 2-3 hours later.

We’ll follow up to learn more about the person taken into custody during the incdent.

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