A 9-1-1 call for trouble unknown to Windsor police this morning led to the shutdown of a west end street.
The initial call around 9:30 am brought officers to Sandwich Street and Prince Road where a Grey Ford Escape was parked in front of a convenience store.
Police spokesperson Sgt. Steve Betteridge says officers discovered two people in medical distress inside the vehicle.
Windsor police spokesman Sergeant Steve Betteridge, July 31, 2018 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
They were taken to hospital for treatment, but what officers then learned triggered the Hazmat response.
"Investigation from speaking with them as well as a visual observation of the vehicle that they had been in officers looked at that vehicle parked as the scene and confirmed that there was an unknown white powdery substance within that vehicle"
The full Hazmat response was appropriate after the information officers received.
Windsor police Hazmat officer at Sandwich Street and Prince Road, July 31, 2018 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
"Combined with what the officers saw and the physical condition those two people were in, that vehicle was treated as a hazardous situation with an unknown hazardous substance within the vehicle"
Because of the potential danger to the public the full response was initiated.
Windsor police and fire Hazmat team testing and removing a white powder from a suspect vehicle on Sandwich St. #cklw pic.twitter.com/O4kVyGa7LD
— Peter Langille (@PLangille800) July 31, 2018
"In a situation like this at this point time is on our side so we take absolutely every precaution, you can see our investigators are fully suited up in their Hazmat protection and that is to make sure they're safe as they do their job of determining what this is"
While police have not completed testing, officers at the scene indicate they strongly believe the material is Fentanyl.
Sandwich Street from Prince Road to Watkins Street was closed at about noon and the convenience store was cleared of people.
The road re-opened just before 2:30 this afternoon.
Sgt. Betteridge says the investigation is ongoing and there may be charges, if warranted.