Anthrax scare at MGt in Kirkcaldy proves a false alarm

Fears of an anthrax attack at one of Fife’s biggest employers turned out to be a false alarm but not before a full-scale emergency response operation had swung into action involving police, fire and ambulance services.

The emergency services raced to the offices of call centre company MGt in the John Smith Business Park in Kirkcaldy on Tuesday following receipt of a suspicious package.

However, despite initial fears that it might contain anthrax, the contents in fact turned out to be talcum powder.

A spokesman for MGt told The Courier that a package addressed to one of its clients had been intercepted in the mail room.

When it became clear the contents were suspicious, a set of ”standard processes” were implemented, including the calling of the emergency services.

After the envelope and its contents were examined by officers from Fife Fire and Rescue Service, the powder inside was found to be harmless and the incident was closed.

The envelope is now being examined by officers from Fife Constabulary in an effort to trace the sender.

The police confirmed they were treating the matter as a criminal investigation.