Fire service's HQ evacuated in alert over suspect package

The package, which was posted to the fire service, was reported to police shortly after noon.

As well as evacuating the building, police also cordoned off Jessop Street, which runs off the dual carriageway on Eyre Street where the fire station stands.

However, control staff, who are located in a secure and self-contained area of the building, remained on site and continued to handle 999 calls.

Workers returned to the building shortly after 3pm after the package was discovered to be harmless.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: "The parcel had been addressed to us and came in a post bag with the rest of our post.

"It had been poorly labelled and had other characteristics which meant it was treated as suspicious. However, it was eventually found to be completely harmless.

"All headquarters staff were evacuated except control staff and a small number of senior officers who were in command of the incident.

"We do have a secondary control location elsewhere in Sheffield, which was set up as a precaution in case there is ever a need to relocate, but we did not need to use it today – we continued to handle all 999 calls from HQ.

"The fire engines were relocated elsewhere within the city centre and some firefighters assisted police in the management of the incident."

On Tuesday the Royal Mail sorting and distribution centre in Brightside Lane was locked down for four hours after white powder was found in an envelope. South Yorkshire Police later said the powder was "a harmless everyday substance".