California's Bakersfield Airport Shut Down After Hazardous Material Found
Tuesday, January 05, 2010

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582025,00.html


Federal officials have suspended flights going to and from Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, California after a hazardous material was found in luggage there.

Suzanne Trevino, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration, says the material was found in a checked bag Tuesday morning. The discovery closed down the airport around 8:20 a.m., and officials called in a hazardous material crew and bomb squad as a precaution.

Trevino won't immediately confirm what was found in the bag, but says it was not a bomb.

KBAK-TV reported that the owner of the baggage has been detained.

A reporter for KBAK-TV said she spoke with the director of Meadows Field airport who said he does not know if this is a false alarm.

Two TSA officials were contaminated by a hazardous liquid that leaked out from the luggage. They have been released from the hospital.

Trevino says officials don't believe the incident is terrorism-related.

The Federal Aviation Administration is holding flights going to and from Bakersfield until at least 10 a.m. At least one SkyWest Airlines flight from San Francisco has been diverted to Los Angeles.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Report says the bag was already checked