Powder raises alarm at Des Moines college

Published On: Feb 21 2012 01:36:14 PM CST  Updated On: Feb 21 2012 01:36:05 PM CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- White powder that spilled from an envelope raised an alarm at Drake University in Des Moines.

A false alarm, as it turns out. A hazardous materials team called to Herriott Hall on Tuesday determined the powder was cornstarch.

A Fire Department spokesman says a Drake student, as a prank, had put the cornstarch in a letter he was mailing to a friend. The powder was found on the letter in a mail slot at the dorm.

The investigation has been turned over to the U.S. Postal Service.

The hazmat team was called in just before 9:45 a.m. Students were let back in the dorm at 10:30 a.m.

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