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Hazmat, bomb squad investigate suspicious package in west Boynton Beach community

Homeowners started coughing, felt burning in nose after opening mystery letter
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responds to a home in the 8500 Canyon Lakes Drive in west Boynton Beach on Aug. 16, 2022.jpg
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responds to a home in the 8500 Canyon Lakes Drive in west Boynton Beach on Aug. 16, 2022 (1).jpg
Posted at 11:57 AM, Aug 16, 2022
and last updated 2022-08-16 16:25:50-04

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Multiple Palm Beach County agencies on Tuesday are investigating a suspicious package in a west Boynton Beach community after the homeowners complained of feeling sick.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office responded to the 10700 block of Canyon Bay Lane, located in the Canyon Lakes neighborhood, around 8:30 a.m.

The sheriff's office said the package arrived in the mail Monday.

When deputies came to the home Tuesday morning, the homeowners said they weren't feeling well.

PBSO's Bomb and Arson Squad responded to the scene, along with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue's Hazmat Team.

WPTV is learning the homeowners opened a strange letter which they believe caused them to start coughing and gave them a burning sensation in their nose. The letter contained a small piece of cardboard, similar to a game piece, according to one of the homeowners.

Everyone in the house is now feeling better, although the family said they don't know who sent the letter or why. The return address was from Arkansas.

The United States Postal Service confirmed the letter was sent through their services as first class mail.

Although they said they didn't see a powder as they opened it, the family immediately felt burning in their noses and started coughing.

Once at the home on Tuesday, deputies called in the bomb squad and all neighbors were told to stay in their homes.

"It’s scary," said neighbor Nicole Goldberg. "It could happen to anybody I guess. It was so innocent. She had it. It was addressed to her. She opened it up and started feeling sick."

Exclusive video from WPTV Chopper 5 showed multiple firetrucks and deputy cruisers outside the home, which was blocked off with both yellow and red tape, which can indicate a higher level of health danger.

WATCH: Suspicious package investigation in west Boynton Beach

Firefighters respond to Canyon Lakes in west Boynton Beach

The USPS told WPTV it's aware of the situation, but because all of the people involved were cleared by paramedics, the agency will not be looking into the incident any further.