CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- There was “no threat” to the public Monday after a bag combusted at Midway International Airport when it was run over by a luggage vehicle.
Chicago police said a bag was being loaded onto an airplane about 12:18 p.m. when it “exploded” without causing injuries.
The Chicago Bomb Unit responded to the incident at 12:18 p.m., as well as the Chicago Fire and Police department. A level one hazmat situation was declared, but the incident was cleared around 1 p.m., according to police. There is no public safety threat.
The preliminary investigation showed the cause might have been a cellphone battery or charger, according to police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
He said there was a sound, possibly a “pop,” after the luggage came off of the conveyance vehicle, but there was no fire when crews arrived.
The luggage was being loaded into Volaris flight #943, which was bound for Leon, Mexico, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.
The department said there was no threat to the public, and no damage to the aircraft. Volaris airlines did not immediately reply to a request for comment.