Bottles of resin found taped to doors of Hollywood bank

LOS ANGELES - Residents in a section of Hollywood were told to shelter in place due to a hazmat situation on Monday morning, officials said. 

What we know:

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, firefighters and officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a Wells Fargo bank at 1600 Vine Street, between Sunset and Hollywood boulevards, on a report of two gallon-sized bottles of an unknown substance taped to the door. The plastic bottles were oozing liquid, attached to the front door.

Officials later determined the bottles contained a type of resin or polymer that was not considered hazardous. A power washer was used to try to peel the sticky substance from the ground in front of the bank, which was identified preliminarily as some kind of polymer by LAFD. Samples are being tested, but again, LAFD officials say they don't believe the polymer substance presents a threat to the public, even if it took a power washer over an hour to peel the top layer off the sidewalk.

Businesses in the area were told to shelter in place, including a Trader Joe's. Keep in mind, that area includes the large W hotel, the Hollywood Equinox, Trader Joe's and several theaters, including the Pantages. All businesses have since reopened. The bank remained closed during the day.

Aerial images from SkyFOX showed several units, including a bomb squad with the Los Angeles Police Department and crews with the LA City Fire Department. LA City Fire and LAPD's Hazmat team responded, quickly asking everyone on the block to shelter in place. Law enforcement and fire officials explained they can't take any chances with these, which area residents and visitors didn't seem to mind. 

"With things the way they are in the world, I am glad to see them take this seriously," said an employee at a coffee shop in the perimeter.

No medical complaints were reported. No reports of anyone feeling sick from whatever was in those bottles.

A section of Vine Street and a part of Selma Avenue was closed during the investigation. Vine Street between Hollywood and Sunset was shut down for hours. All roads reopened just after 2:30 p.m. The street and sidewalk are reopened.

"Another day in Hollywood," said one resident, quipping, "can't wait till the Olympics" as he rolled his eyes. With big events like the Olympics and World Cup around the corner, these big responses to possible incidents serve as good practice.