Metropolitan Opera cancels show after 'suspicious substance' thrown into orchestra pit

NEW YORK CITY (WPVI) -- The Met Opera house was evacuated Saturday after officials say a suspicious powder was thrown into the orchestra pit.

The FDNY and NYPD responded for a possible suspicious substance shortly after 5:20 p.m. Saturday during a performance of 'Guillaume Tell.'

In a news conference Saturday evening, the NYPD said a witness told them that the man who sprinkled the substance was from out of town, and indicated that he wanted to sprinkle the ashes of his mentor.

As a safety precaution, the Met canceled the remainder of the performance. In addition, Saturday night's performance of 'L'Italiana in Algeri' was also canceled.

The NYPD says no arrests have been made, and the person who sprinkled the unidentified powder fled the scene.

An audience member says the evacuation of the opera house was calm.