FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Union was evacuated and closed from about 2 p.m. until 4:15 p.m. Friday, July 15 after a suspicious package was reported in the Mailing Services office in the Union.

Mailing Services workers reported the package to University Police, and the department’s dog trained to detected explosives was sent to the building. The dog reacted to the package, indicating a potential danger from explosives.

UAPD issued a RazALERT message to the campus advising people to stay away from the Union. Foot traffic was routed around the building.

The Bentonville Bomb Squad, which serves all of Northwest Arkansas, was called to investigate and determined that the package contained a wireless weather station.

“The weather station was harmless, but the wires contain the same chemicals that can be found in an explosive device,” said UAPD Captain Gary Crain. “The dog responded as he was trained to do. We evacuated the Union in an abundance of caution, but we can’t take chances in situations like this. We have to take the necessary precautions to protect the campus.”