Fire official: Box of lithium batteries explodes in Uptown post office

Friday, March 9, 2018
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A box of lithium batteries exploded in an Uptown post office Friday afternoon, Chicago fire officials said.

No one was injured in the explosion in the 4800-block of North Broadway Street, officials said. Traffic was blocked around the building for a time, though Broadway has since reopened. The post office remains locked and closed. No one is being allowed in or out.
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The box was initially reported as a suspicious package, drawing a hazmat response from Chicago police and firefighters.

It was not clear if the batteries had been sent through the mail or dropped off at the post office.
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The USPS Inspection Service is leading the investigation.
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