Haz-mat call is false alarm - unless you're a salty snack food

David Joles, Dml - Star Tribune

Minneapolis firefighters in haz-mat suits are checked as they respond to an emergency call late Thursday morning.

A report of a possible hazardous material in a downtown Minneapolis parking ramp turned out to be a 5-gallon jug of cottonseed oil.

Star Tribune

Last update: August 28, 2008 - 11:36 PM

Firefighters called to a report of a possibly hazardous material in a downtown Minneapolis parking ramp Thursday morning instead discovered a 5-gallon jug of cottonseed oil.

The oil was apparently delivered to the Jerry Haaf Memorial Ramp sometime Tuesday night, but it wasn't clear why, said Minneapolis Assistant Fire Chief John Fruetl.

Authorities closed off 5th Avenue between 4th Street and 3rd Street for about two hours as they investigated and removed the oil from the ramp's ground level.

TIM HARLOW

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