A busy commercial building in Farnborough was evacuated on Friday after a man became seriously ill while opening a suspicious envelope. Emergency crews arrived at Alexandra Road just before midday, raising concerns about a possible hazardous substance.
Police and firefighters reached the scene at 11.52am following reports of the man’s sudden illness. Hampshire Constabulary stated: “We were called to a commercial property in Alexandra Road after a man felt unwell opening an envelope.”
An immediate evacuation was ordered, and nearby residents were advised to keep their windows shut as the scene was secured by emergency personnel.
South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) confirmed the man likely inhaled fumes from the envelope’s contents. A spokesman said: “He experienced burning sensations in his hands and had difficulty breathing after opening the envelope.”
Hazardous materials experts, paramedics, and multiple emergency vehicles responded promptly. The man, who remained conscious but unwell, was taken to Frimley Park Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Local worker Adam Jacobi reported that by 3pm the area had been cleared. He said, “The incident seemed to involve something inside a package that affected a staff member.”
Nearby resident Matt Attfield, 43, from Aldershot, witnessed the emergency response. He recalled, “Police, firefighters, and ambulance teams arrived fast. A man in a hazmat suit escorted the patient away. It all looked very serious. I’d never seen anything like it before.”
The cause of the hazardous envelope remains under investigation as emergency teams continue their work at the scene.
Originally published by UKNIP.
