Two people hospitalized after suspicious package sent to Sen. Ted Cruz's office

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Authorities say that two people were taken to the hospital after apparently being exposed to a white powdery substance at Senator Cruz's office in Houston on Tuesday.

The entire 9th floor of the Phoenix Tower off of the Southwest Freeway was evacuated just before noon. HFD HazMat responded to the scene to determine the nature of the substance. All tests were negative for any hazardous substance, and an evacuation order was lifted at 12:41 p.m. Tuesday.

The FBI announced that they are now taking over the investigation into the incident.

They don't see this here every day, but they do see it often enough.

"We're used to the fire trucks coming for false alarms and we always hear the fire trucks go by even on the 21st floor. It's really loud," said office worker Nathan Milsaps.

But this time it was different. This time they shut off the elevators and told everyone to shelter in place. The curiosity and the tension grew.

"We were kind of worried because it took so long and we didn't have a lot of info so we were sitting in our offices going 'ok, what's next?'" said coworker Sharon Grimes.

What was next was HFD transporting two people who had been exposed to a white powdery substance addressed to Senator Ted Cruz's office -- one complaining of nausea, the other of tingling skin.

The FBI tested the powder and the results were negative. We don't know if there was a note with the envelope or any threat sent beforehand.

But it"s over now and life is back to normal.

"When we got the clear we were like 'lunchtime!'" said Grimes.

"No more peanut butter snacks," added Milsap.