Officials at Scott Air Force Base in southwestern Illinois are investigating a suspicious package but say there doesn't appear to be any immediate danger.

Capt. Kathleen Ferrero says 14 people were decontaminated on site and three others were taken to a hospital in Belleville. She says all of those people were near the mail center where the package was found and suggested they may have been exposed.

Ferrero says she doesn't know what was in the package, and she wouldn't address media reports that the item created a sulphur-like smell. The package prompted precautionary evacuations of areas near the mail center this morning.

Master Sgt. Jerome Baysmore adds that several base firefighters were overcome by heat while responding to the situation and were treated by on-base medics.