Fire investigators find no evidence of harmful substance that forced closure of North Spokane Walmart

Investigators with the Spokane Fire Department found no evidence of a harmful “white powder” on cash that employees at a north Spokane Walmart said made them feel ill Sunday evening.

The alleged substance was reported at about 6:45 p.m. after a transaction at the 9212 N. Colton St. Walmart, where several employees said they felt sick after handling the money. Three employees were transported by ambulance to a hospital for evaluation and were released without injury.

The Walmart was evacuated and closed for several hours while the Spokane Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team investigated. According to fire department news release, “no substance could be located and monitors could not recognize any hazardous materials.”

The store was reopened about 10 p.m. In a post to Walmart’s Facebook page, which has since been deleted, the store said “all affected associates are OK, and have been cleared by medical.”

The Spokane Police Department is not investigating.