Baltimore, MD – Firefighters investigated suspicious packages at three synagogues in Baltimore County on Monday.
First, medics evaluated two people at Beth El Congregation in Pikesville after they opened an envelope in the office, the Baltimore County Fire Department said. They reported symptoms including nausea. Crews were dispatched at 12:45 p.m.
Hazmat crews scanned the building in the 8100 block of Park Heights Avenue for gasses and chemicals and did not find anything significant, according to the fire department.
Officials initially said the envelope was delivered to the Beth El School, which is affiliated with the synagogue. More than 30 staff members and 78 children remained in the school.
About two hours later, medics were dispatched to the Beth Isaac Adath Israel Congregation in Dundalk. A suspicious envelope was received there too. Nothing suspicious was found, and no injuries were reported.
Another two hours later, at 4:25 p.m., medics were sent to the Har Sinai Congregation in Owings Mills for a report of a third suspicious envelope. County police say that envelope was received about a week ago and was reported Monday “after receiving information of the other incidents.”
No hazardous substance was found. No information was released on any writing on the envelopes or any materials inside them.
County police said they are “reaching out to members of the affected communities.”
“The letters appear to be similar in nature and do not convey any type of threat,” police said.
An investigation is ongoing.
