Threatening letters force Baltimore City Hall evacuation

Three threatening letters arrived at Baltimore City Hall and the city's Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse, including one with white powder that prompted a City Hall evacuation.

Baltimore Fire Department spokesman Kevin Cartwright says no one was hurt Monday and City Hall mailing didn't pose a hazard to anyone.

Police department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says police and U.S. Postal Service inspectors are investigating the letters, which arrived by priority mail.

A City Hall worker concerned about the envelope in a mailroom alerted authorities about 11:30 a.m., prompting an evacuation. The fire department's hazardous materials task force determined the contents weren't harmful and the building reopened about 45 minutes later.

Guglielmi says the letters sent to the courthouse were similar to the City Hall letter, but didn't contain powder.

-- Associated Press