Preliminary Results of 'Suspicious White Powder' That Closed Keeney School Negative

Preliminary laboratory results of the "suspicious white powder" that resulted in the closure of Keeney Street Elementary School Thursday afternoon were negative of harmful materials, according to Manchester Fire Chief Robert Bycholski. 

In a statement released Friday afternoon, Bycholski said that the tests ruled out the presence of ricin, a highly toxic substance derived from the castor oil plant.

Bycholski said the next batch of test results are expected Saturday, and that Manchester Director of Health Maryann Cherniak and Interim Superintendent Richard Kisiel would make a decision on resuming classes at Keeney Street Elementary School sometime over the weekend. 

The afternoon after the main office received a letter contain a white powder and a message that "Al-Qaeda is back." Classes were cancelled at the school Friday. 

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Final test results of the substance are expected Tuesday, May 15, according to Bycholski.