UPDATE: March 30 at 5 p.m.
The Lexington Fire Department launched a full hazmat response Monday morning after receiving reports of a suspicious package at an AutoZone off Nicholasville Road.
Just after 10 a.m., about 12 fire crews were called to the auto parts store on Tiverton Way, near Fayette Place Shopping Center, to investigate an out-of-place 5-gallon water container sitting in the bushes behind the building.
"We sent our hazmat team leader over here to check it out. It looked suspicious, so we started a full hazmat response," said Chief Settles with the Lexington Fire Dept.
For hours, crews in hazmat gear operated drones and taped off sections of the shop's access road as they worked to identify the contents of the container.
"We're gonna try to do some sampling so to be sure we know what it is and how to properly dispose of it," said Chief Settles.
After an initial inspection, crews accessed the container and said they do not believe the contents are suspicious or dangerous. However, the department is treating the situation with caution.
"We've come out, we've been able to access the container and nothing so far makes it seem like it's any type of hazardous material," said Chief Settles.
The Lexington Fire Department is continuing to investigate the situation.
