Evacuations were conducted at two apartment buildings near the University of Minnesota campus because of a chemical scare. Dozens of U of M students were kept out of the apartments for about five hours Tuesday evening.
Authorities were investigating the possible presence of ricin in an apartment unit on the 500 block of 14th Avenue Southeast.
"We have an unconfirmed report of the presence of ricin," Assistant Minneapolis Fire Chief Brian Tyner tells WCCO Radio. "One resident was transported to a hospital prior to MFD arrival. At this time we are evacuating the building and isolating the area of concern."
Tyner says the unconfirmed material is in one apartment unit.
The condition of the person who was taken to the hospital is not known.
No other injuries have been reported, and Tyner stresses that the evacuations taking place are precautionary as they have yet to positively identify the chemical involved.
Ricin is an extremely toxic substance that is produced in the seeds of the castor plant.