The Port Authority Bus Terminal's southern wing was partially evacuated and closed off to all incoming commuter services during this morning's rush hour after a powdery substance was found on the inside of the building and on the sidewalk outside of the structure on 8th Avenue.
Shortly after 9:00 a.m. The Port Authority Police Department and members of the National Guard blocked all subway access to the building and hustled travelers out of the mezzanine level so they could cordon off the unknown substance and secure the area while waiting for the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit to arrive on the scene.
Within an hour after inspecting and testing the powder, The Emergency Service Unit was able to identify the substance as a nonhazardous cleaning product that presented no risk to patrons inside the facility.
The Port Authority maintenance crew cleaned the powder up from inside and outside of the building before normal pedestrian traffic was allowed back into all levels of the terminal.
Worried commuters took to social media warning fellow New Yorkers to avoid the transportation hub as the emergency situation unfolded.
By 10:10 a.m. the bus terminal was back open for normal business.The Port Authority official Twitter page tweeted the all clear at 10:15.
The tweet stated that "There is no immediate danger at the Port Authority Bus Terminal."
Photo Credit: Getty Images