Gouda flats evacuated over suspicious substance

Four apartments in Gouda were evacuated and cordoned off for several hours on Wednesday night after the discovery of a suspicious substance, the police said on Twitter. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called in. Several hours of investigation revealed that the substance was not dangerous.

The suspicious substance was found in a third floor apartment of a flat block on Bosranklaan, according to the Telegraaf. It is unclear how the police found out about the substance, or what the substance is.

A Dutch man with mental health problems lives in the flat, neighbors told the Dutch newspaper. According to the neighbors, there were many drug-related problems with the flats a few years ago, but it's been very quiet in recent times. "This is the first time in years that I see so many police here", one resident said.

EOD geeft sein veilig flatwoning #Bosranklaan Gouda. Geen gevaarlijke stoffen aangetroffen. Hulpdiensten schalen af. ^C

— Politie Gouda (@PolGouda) June 29, 2016