November 1st, 2011
01:53 PM ET

One person hurt after bag explosion at Chicago's O’Hare Airport

The FBI is investigating an incident Tuesday at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport after a checked bag exploded or combusted.

The suspicious item was a checked bag in the C Concourse, according to  Transportation Security Administration spokesman Greg Soule.

Soule said  Chicago police, fire and ordnance teams are on the scene. The FBI is interviewing the owner of the bag, Soule said. He added that a perimeter has been established to ensure the safety of people in the area. There were no evacuation orders in place, officials said.

United Airlines spokeswoman Mary Ryan said one employee had been taken to an area hospital.

“A United Airlines baggage handler received minor burns while handling 'pelican cases' which contained batteries,” according to Larry Langford with the Chicago Fire Department. “While the investigation is still under way, it is believed that a metal strip may have triggered the batteries inside the case. There is no criminal activity suspected and (it) is being treated as an accident. The Chicago Fire Department is checking other containers."

- CNN’s Kara Devlin contributed to this report.

 Post by:
Filed under: Air travel • Travel
soundoff (146 Responses)
  1. Rob S

    Pelican cases are typical for video and photo equipment. Most of those use Lithium Ion batteries which are failry volatile. I have had several swell significantly and they are prone to fire if faulty. There are Dept. of Trans. regulations around shipments of these type batteries for this reason.

    November 1, 2011 at 2:59 pm | Report abuse |
  2. CalDude

    TOMMYKNOCKERS!

    November 1, 2011 at 3:00 pm | Report abuse |
  3. DaveO

    George HW Bush!

    November 1, 2011 at 3:02 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Doug

    WTB video, you know that shiznit was caught on film!

    November 1, 2011 at 3:03 pm | Report abuse |
  5. JD

    I blame Obama

    November 1, 2011 at 3:04 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Reese

    I hate it when the batteries blow up. My wife nearly blew us both up one night in the heat of passion.

    November 1, 2011 at 3:04 pm | Report abuse |
    • billy jester

      That's funny, when I'm with your wife we never need any batteries!!!

      November 1, 2011 at 3:08 pm | Report abuse |
    • Wild Red Berry

      me and your mrs. did ok without any batteies also, actually she's quite a goer, and a real good sport, if you know catch my drift.

      November 1, 2011 at 3:12 pm | Report abuse |
    • DaveO

      I didn't use batteries with your wife either, but I needed to keep my jogging shoes on. You know? Extra traction!

      November 1, 2011 at 3:28 pm | Report abuse |
    • dallaspimp

      what was your wife inserting in you that had batteries? i think you should come clean with your wife and tell her about your true leanings. nothing to be ashamed of and after she stops blaming herself, she'll accept you and him.

      November 10, 2011 at 11:47 pm | Report abuse |
  7. James

    Nice headline CNN, excuse me while I go drop an a-bomb in the john.

    November 1, 2011 at 3:05 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Jimbo

    OMG, this like totally should be headline news! We are under attack!!!

    November 1, 2011 at 3:07 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Peter

    Effective use of scare tactics CNN! Bag + Explosion + Airport = Continued Threat of Terrorism = Continued Molestation of the Public by "Security" = Continued Fear + Election Yea = Continued Distraction from Real Issues = The Media's Job. Nicely done.

    November 1, 2011 at 3:09 pm | Report abuse |
    • Polopoint

      totally concur.
      complete sensationalism

      November 1, 2011 at 3:33 pm | Report abuse |
  10. buffin

    Just your mom, and i t's awful!!! PLEASE OPEN A WINDOW!!

    November 1, 2011 at 3:10 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Mason

    OMG....Do I need to restock my plastic sheating and duct tape?! This must put us at at least an Orange threat level!!

    November 1, 2011 at 3:11 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Chris HOnry

    Pelican cases are also popular for fire arms like sniper rifles.

    November 1, 2011 at 3:12 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Tom H

    Hmm, 'bag explodes' reads the CNN headline. Leaky battery reads the story. Mountain, meet molehill.

    November 1, 2011 at 3:12 pm | Report abuse |
  14. nick rymond

    IF GEORGE BUSH WERE STILL PREZ THEY WOULD HAVE SAID THIS WAS AN ATTEMPTED BOMBING BY IRAN.

    November 1, 2011 at 3:14 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Jimi

    He was probably trying to steal the contents – serves him right

    November 1, 2011 at 3:16 pm | Report abuse |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
« Back to main