The security incident that caused quite an alarm this rainy afternoon at Woodleigh MRT station had a rather grainy ending when the “suspicious substance” turned out to be… baking flour.
Both the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were activated to the scene around 1:52pm today when a “white powder-like substance” was found at the concourse area. It’s unclear who alerted the authorities first.
Woodleigh MRT security incident: white powder-like substance found at concourse area https://t.co/pUhMVPYQys pic.twitter.com/C9EOoOTKrE
— Lianne Chia (@LianneChiaCNA) April 18, 2017
Said sighting of the powder was serious enough for the SCDF to send in its hazardous materials (Hazmat) team, presumably to analyze the substance. The whole affair even caused trains on the North-East Line to skip the station, and SBS Transit had to deploy free bus services between Serangoon and Potong Pasir MRT Stations.
An update by the Singapore Police Force at 4:24pm, however, confirmed that all the alarm was for naught — the white powder was just baking flour.
Details are scant for now, especially in regards to if it was a cruel, resource-wasting prank or a simple spillage from grocery shopping. Considering its vicinity to the MRT station, Prime Supermarket can be where they start looking for the Prime Suspect (we joke, we joke).
Nonetheless, the false alarm shouldn’t be taken for granted — both the Home Team and everyday civilians should always stay vigilant for any suspicious sightings.
