FBI, DHS Investigating Fort Wayne Incident

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are on the case, but initial reports say the Fort Wayne (IN) airport was shut down Wednesday after a bag leaked chemicals used to make perfume.

Six people reportedly underwent decontamination and the terminal was closed at around 0330 local, after one airport worker became violently ill when exposed to the material.

There were conflicting reports Wednesday as to the origin of the bag. American Airlines said it belonged to a passenger traveling to Fort Wayne from London. WANE TV quoted a spokeswoman for the airline, who said the bag made it from London to Chicago along with its owner. But after the American Eagle flight from O'Hare to Fort Wayne was delayed for five hours, the bag's owner didn't get on the plane. The bag traveled unaccompanied -- an apparent violation of commercial security protocol.

Other reports quoted an airport spokeswoman who said the bag belonged to a doctor from Lebanon who apparently failed to board the flight in Chicago.

The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel reported the worker who became so ill was an American Airlines baggage handler. The paper said the liquid was contained in two glass containers shaped like wine bottles.

The FBI sent "numerous" agents to investigate the discovery, according to local television reports. The paper quoted Fort Wayne Fire Department Capt. Bob Amber as saying the doctor who owned the luggage had been located and was cooperating with the investigation.

The airport was closed after the liquid was discovered. It reopened later in the day and a check of Fort Wayne International's web site showed both arrivals and departures were on time again shortly after noon.

FMI: www.fwairport.com