Smoky packages injure two at Maryland state buildings

Smoky packages injure two at Maryland state buildings

2011-01-07 15:23:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

HANOVER, MARYLAND (BNO NEWS) -- Two people were slightly injured on Thursday and several others were evaluated after two packages at two Maryland state buildings erupted in a brief flash of fire, smoke, and emitting a smell.

The first incident happened at around 12.25 p.m. local time at the Jeffrey Building in downtown Annapolis while the second incident happened at around 12.45 p.m. local time at the Maryland Department of Transportation Headquarters in Hanover.

Phill McGowan, a spokesman for Annapolis Mayor Josh Cohen, said city fire crews responded to the mailroom of the Jeffrey Building in the noon hour after an incendiary device in a book-size envelope injured a male employee. The envelope was addressed to Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, but could not have seriously injured anyone.

A similar incident happened at the Maryland Department of Transportation Headquarters where several people were evaluated by medics as a precaution. Officials believe the incidents are linked and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is taking part in the investigation.

"The Mayor has notified city employees not to open packages until further notice," McGowan said, adding that bomb-sniffing dogs would inspect any packages. He added that Annapolis Chief of Police Michael Pristoop had also taken precautionary security measures to protect City Hall, although no terrorism-links were suspected.

According to NBC News, one of the parcels which was addressed to O'Malley complained about highway signs which urge motorists to report suspicious activity to authorities. "Somebody doesn't like seeing that sign," the Governor said.

Last month, a series of packages exploded at embassies in the Italian capital of Rome. Several people were injured, but the attacks were reportedly carried out by an Italian anarchist group, the Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI). They are not related to the attacks in Maryland.

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