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Authorities Detect Explosives at Port of Miami; New York City Authorities Investigate Mystery Smell; Chemical Leak Reported in Sugar Land, Texas

Aired January 08, 2007 - 15:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello once again. I'm Kyra Phillips at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Don Lemon.

After dozens of deaths, a major city street shuts down. Why did so many birds fall from the sky in Austin, Texas?

PHILLIPS: And something is raising a big stink in the Big Apple -- still no evidence on what it is or where it came from.

LEMON: Plus, we will have this. Our Jeff Koinange has been covering Africa's toughest stories for more than a decade. But, after a close encounter with Oprah Winfrey, he says he sees a ray of hope.

You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.

First this hour, a breaking story out of Miami.

And T.J. Holmes has the details for us in the NEWSROOM -- T.J.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes.

We're going to take you to the Port of Miami, live now, where we have been keeping an eye on this situation. You're seeing at least one member of a bomb squad there at the Miami -- Miami Dade Police bomb squad, who is -- who is -- we have been watching getting suited up, because a suspicious device has been found at the Port of Miami, according to police there.

And that suspicious device, they calling an instrument, which has now been tested positive for C-4 plastic explosives. Now, we haven't been able to get too many more details just yet on exactly where the suspicious -- suspicious package may be or what area of this port. This is, of course, a large port.

Millions of people go through here on cruise ships. There's all kinds of cargo, and whatnot, that comes through here. So, we don't know what area, what location, possibly, there that it may be.

You are seeing this gentleman here. You can -- you notice you're seeing -- familiar with that garb, familiar with that getup there. The bomb squad get suited up like that when -- when it's time for them to go to work. And they are about to go to work here, because they have found this instrument. And they take all of these threats and scares seriously, but now, with word that it has, in fact, been tested positive for plastic explosives, certainly taking this a lot more seriously.

You may remember, just yesterday, there was another scare at the Port of Miami. That turned out to -- not to be a major -- a major -- or a serious threat, but it still put quite a scare there at the Port of Miami, when three gentlemen were -- were stopped, because there was a miscommunication. Those three were held, but then later released, but still caused quite a scare at the Port of Miami.

So, now, here we are, the -- for the second day in a row, another scare. And, as we keep an eye on this live picture and what that member of the bomb squad may be doing, we are going to try to get some more information on what they say they have found; C-4 plastic explosives is what they are saying, that it has tested positive with this instrument.

We are going to go to our Jamie McIntyre, who can give us some -- some more thoughts and -- and details on exactly what this stuff is.

So, Jamie, if you're with me, can you tell me, C-4 plastic explosive, we hear it all the time. What is this stuff?

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, it's a -- it's a common military explosive. C-4 -- C. stands for composition four.

It's an explosive that essentially combines an explosive material called RDX with a -- a plasticizer, or -- or plastic binding agent that holds it together. The advantage of plastic explosives is that it's powerful, a little bit more explosive than TNT or dynamite, but it can also be shaped, basically, like putty, into in any form you want.

You can -- you can stick it in an area, and it's very inert. It doesn't explode, except when detonated by a detonation device. It's -- you know, it could get hit by a bullet or something; it won't explode.

This makes it a perfect kind of explosive for military purposes -- or for terrorist purposes, for that matter. In fact, you may recall that the bombing -- the of the USS Cole in the port at Yemen back in October of 2000 was done with an estimated 600 pounds of C-4 plastic explosives.

But, again, we don't know how many explosive was found here. It could be just a trace of an explosive could set of a detection device. Or it could a significant amount. But, obviously, they're not taking any chances. It can be a very deadly explosive.

And it -- also, because it can be molded into shapes, it can be used to put inside shaped charges, which are specifically designed to, say, penetrate armor and that sort of thing. So, it's a very useful explosive for military purposes. But, in the hands of a terrorist, it could also be a deadly terrorist weapon.

HOLMES: And, as well, you said, Jamie, it's -- it's common. It's quite common.

Is it also pretty simple for someone who is not an expert, who is not in the military, to either get their hands on or -- and be able to put something like this together? And, again, we're -- I'm just asking that question. We don't know exactly what is going on there, but just more information about the C-4.

MCINTYRE: Well, it's common, but, you know, you can't go down to the local hardware store and just buy C-4.

(LAUGHTER)

HOLMES: Yes.

MCINTYRE: And nor can it be easily made, you know, in your basement.

But it is a fairly common explosive. It has industrial uses as well. It's also manufactured by some countries that aren't friendly to the United States, like, for instance, Iran.

But explosives that are made commercially also have tagging agents embedded in them, so they can be traced as to where they were made and, you know, how -- so, they can also be detected when people are trying to detect them.

But, again, we don't know exactly what they're dealing with here, whether it's a trace amount. You could even have a -- a situation where a detection device can be set off as sort of false alarm. So, because they are very sensitive, obviously, they don't want to make a mistake and err on the wrong side, if they're trying to detect explosive devices. So, sometimes, you do get false readings as well.

But, again, C-4 plastic explosive common, not easily obtained, but -- but could -- can be a very powerful weapon, especially in the wrong hands.

HOLMES: All right, our Jamie McIntyre, thank you so much for -- for helping us out there with the C-4.

But, again, we are going to keep an eye on this situation. An instrument, some sort of instrument, is what it is being described as by police there at the Port of Miami that has been tested positive for C-4 plastic explosive.

We are going to keep our eye on this situation, but I will hand it back over to -- to you now, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, T.J., thanks.

We have got Mike Brooks is on the phone. He's an expert for us. He's worked in law enforcement. He's also worked within bomb squad, SWAT teams.

Mike, have you ever worked specifically in a situation that you were dealing with C-4 plastic explosives? MIKE BROOKS, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: Quite a few times, Kyra.

In fact, we -- just a few moments ago, we saw the bomb technician heading downrange. And it looks like he had a portable X-ray with him, and -- and an X-ray plate. So, what he is probably going to be doing is going down, going downrange, and try to take a portable X-ray of this. It's almost like a Polaroid.

You take the X-ray. It develops. And then they will take a look to see exactly what is in this -- this -- whatever device it is, a package. A lot of times, we just go ahead and call these things suspicious packages, when we don't know exactly what we're dealing with.

But it -- it will be anxious to see, then, after that, what kind of action the -- the bomb squad does take, if they will -- if they will just go ahead and render it safe right in place, as we call, shoot it in place, and -- or if they will get a total containment vessel, and put it in that, and take it somewhere else to -- to do a render-safe procedure...

PHILLIPS: So...

(CROSSTALK)

BROOKS: ... but, again, early on, just in this situation.

PHILLIPS: How do you know that there isn't any type of timing device on there, or that someone has put this in a certain area, and is going to trigger it once it is moved to a certain spot or certain people come close to it? I mean, is that even a possibility in a situation like this?

BROOKS: That's always a possibility.

And -- and the bomb squad, the Metro -- the -- the bomb squads down there are very, very well trained. By looking at -- at a device or a suspicious package, sometimes, you can tell if it's -- if it's a remote-control device, those kind of things.

And they will be able -- able to see even more with this X-ray, after they go ahead and -- and X-ray the device. And then they will be able to look to see if there is, you know, an electrical charge, what kind of -- how much explosive, if there is any explosive at all in this particular thing.

PHILLIPS: How powerful could it be? Like, can you give me an idea about -- say, it's a -- it's a pound or it's a half-a-pound. How -- how detrimental could it be, according to size and weight?

BROOKS: Oh, a -- a pound of C-4 explosive is -- is -- is very powerful, Kyra.

If you -- if you remember Khobar Towers, back in June of 1996, that -- that killed 19 Americans and wounded over 500 others, I was there working that bomb scene. And it was figured it was a minimum, a minimum, of 5,000 pounds of C-4 in that particular device.

PHILLIPS: Wow. All right.

BROOKS: Yes.

PHILLIPS: We are going to keep monitoring this via our affiliate, WSVN. We're monitoring the Port of Miami, where a suspicious package has been found.

Mike Brooks, thanks so much. I know you are going to keep on -- keep in touch with us and keep monitoring this. And you can kind of see everything that is around the port, where the suspicious package is, and the bomb squad going in, trying, with a portable X-ray and an X-ray plate, trying to figure out exactly what is going on and what is in that package, how detrimental it could be.

But you can actually see the ships, and even people out there in the water there at the port.

We will keep following this and bring you more information as we get it.

LEMON: A lot of stuff breaking here in the CNN NEWSROOM -- we want to take you now -- we want to go from Miami to New York City.

And, just a couple of hours after it all was first detected, it's still unclear what is causing the weird smell in New York City.

So, for the latest on that, let's go to New York.

CNN's Alina Cho joining us now from Columbus Circle with the very latest.

What do you know now, Alina?

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Don, still a mystery.

Nobody yet knows what caused this mysterious odor. And nobody knows what it is yet. I can tell you that, six hours after this all started, people are going about their business here in New York City. The streets are busy, filled with people. And this is just kind of how New York works.

Now, just to recap, all of this started around 9:00 a.m. this morning. Thousands of calls poured into 911 in New York City. People complained of a mysterious odor. And it permeated Manhattan, all over Manhattan, from Midtown to Battery Park City, river to river, felt all -- all the way over in New Jersey, in Newark, New Jersey.

And we're hearing now that seven people have been presented to the hospital, but they were released. So -- and this is related to this -- this odor.

The mayor of New York City, here on this side of the river, said today that there is no cause for concern, that there were air-quality tests conducted this morning. And the mayor says that the air was not and is not hazardous.

As a precaution, though, this morning, several buildings were evacuated. And we spoke to one man this morning who recounted what happened in his building.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shortly after I got in, we could smell gas on the 28th floor. And...

CHO: Were you concerned at that point?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A little bit. And, then, an announcer came on over the loud speaker and said that there was a gas leak, and that 911 was called. So, then, pretty much, the managers in my office were, like, let's all get out of here. So, we all went downstairs.

And then I left with some of my other co-workers, just to get away from the building.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: Now, the city, of course, is still trying to find out exactly what caused this leak, the source of it, and exactly what it is.

But one possibility the mayor of New York raised this morning is, it may be mercaptan. Now, that -- we got a quick lesson on this, this morning. But mercaptan is essentially an additive. It is added to natural gas, essentially so that, in the event of a leak, people can smell it.

You know, natural gas is odorless and colorless, which is why they add this mercaptan. So, it is possible it is that it -- it -- it is that people smelled this morning. And, certainly, it is unpleasant. It smells like rotten eggs -- but, again, the mayor of New York saying today, though the smell may be unpleasant, there is certainly no cause for alarm -- Don.

LEMON: But, still, we have seven people who have been treated at the hospital for this, Alina, right?

CHO: That's absolutely right.

What we're hearing is that seven people were presented to a New Jersey hospital. So far, we're hearing of no injuries here in New York City.

LEMON: Alina Cho...

CHO: Don.

LEMON: ... thank you very much for that.

PHILLIPS: I'll tell you what. The stories keep breaking and developing throughout the nation right now. Now we're getting word of a chemical leak in Texas.

T.J. Holmes is working the details on this.

T.J., what do you know?

HOLMES: Yes, we don't know much here.

But what we do have, yes, some kind of a -- a -- a tanker leak. Don't know if we can exactly call this a tanker truck explosion just yet, but some kind of a -- a tanker leak.

We're looking at a live picture here of it. This is in Sugar Land, Texas, which is just outside of Houston. But the local affiliate there, KTRK, is reporting that -- that, in fact, this is coming from -- from a company called Nalco. Don't have the details of that company just yet, but says this is a -- a cloud has actually gotten into the air, some kind of a chemical cloud.

Don't know what the leak may be, again, and don't exactly know what the chemical may be. But people are being warned who are downwind of this cloud to stay inside for now. So, I don't know if authorities exactly know what the leak is, or -- or know how dangerous it may be, but they are telling people right now, at least, as a precaution, to stay inside if you're downwind from this -- from where this cloud is coming -- again, some kind of a tanker truck leak, some kind of a tanker explosion.

We can -- trying to make out what we're seeing in these pictures. Don't know exactly know. It looks like some kind of a warehouse, some kind of a plant. And -- and it's being doused right now, but don't know exactly what happened with this explosion.

Also, their local schools right now are in lockdown. So, they're not letting kids out of -- out of their classrooms right now. So, they think maybe this is -- this is fairly serious. So -- so, we're keeping an eye on this, as well, Kyra, and going to bring you back here, and -- and -- as we get more information on this.

PHILLIPS: Yes. We -- we are getting more in, as we get these live pictures, T.J., from KHOU, our affiliate there out of Houston.

This is like you said, happening in Sugar Land, Texas. They are sort of dousing whatever it is that has -- that has popped there in the plant. We're told that what they saw were major plumes of white vapor. And, still, I guess, some of it can be seen rising from this plant. It's the Nalco plant that is near Highway 59 at Highway 90.

This tanker truck, we're told, is venting some sort of product in this plant -- and, like you said, still not quite sure what that substance is, but it's the Nalco plant. It's some sort of vapor venting from this truck. We're not sure if there's any hazard to nearby residences at this point.

I guess they are just beginning to test the air quality. Somebody answering the phones, we're told, at Nalco Energy Services told the local news station there out of Houston that she was told to advise callers near Nalco to a shelter that has been put into place now.

And, like you were saying, T.J., four schools in the area may be evacuated very soon. They're looking at Lakeview Elementary, Sugar Land Middle School, Sugar Mill Elementary, and also M.R. Wood Alternative School. Those are the schools that may be involved.

So, stay with us. We will keep working more information -- getting live pictures now from our other affiliate, KTRK, out of Houston. This is live in Sugar Land, Texas -- once again, some type of vapor that is rising from a truck here at the Nalco plant in Sugar Land, Texas.

As we get more information, we will bring it to you.

LEMON: And, as the news keeps breaking, we will bring you, including this story. What is killing the birds in Austin, Texas? Dozens are dead, and downtown shut down. The CDC is on it. And so are we -- the latest developments straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right, following two big stories, two developing stories here -- one coming out of Miami, specifically the Port of Miami, a device there, an instrument, that tested positive for C-4 explosives found by security folks there just a short time ago.

They are checking that out, X-raying it, as we have been listening to security experts, X-raying that, trying to figure out exactly what is going on. We hope to have some information. We saw folks in suits there, a -- the bomb squad, and what have you, checking out all of that. So, we hope to have more information on that story in just a little bit. That is on left of your screen.

Then, to the right of your screen, there is -- there are some plumes of smoke of white vapor that can be seen rising from the Nalco plant. This is happening in Texas. You're looking at pictures now from our -- one of our affiliates there near Sugar Land, Texas.

It's happening near Highway 59 at Highway 90. And you're looking at that cloud. It appear -- it seems that a tanker truck is venting a product in that plant. And it's unknown what type of substance is involved in that.

Kyra, has -- you have got more information on this, don't you?

PHILLIPS: Coming out of the Nalco plant, what we're being told from a number of our affiliates is that it's this white vapor that is still rising from this truck that they're trying to hose down there at the Nalco plant. It's right near Highway 59, at Highway 90, if you're not familiar with the area.

But here is what parents need to know, is, they're considering evacuating four schools right now, Lakeview Elementary, Sugar Land Middle School, Sugar Mill Elementary, and, also, the M.R. Wood Alternative School. Those are all the schools that might be involved and they may feel they have to evacuate.

LEMON: All right.

More information now coming from Miami, the Port of Miami specifically -- we told you that, just a short while ago -- T.J. Holmes, as a matter of fact, is going to join us now.

Told you about a device that tested positive -- Is that correct? -- for C-4 explosives. They're still checking that out?

HOLMES: They're still checking that out, what we understand.

But there were some initial tests that certainly did show some amounts of a C-4 plastic explosive. So, they are certainly taking this seriously, taking all precautions there to find out exactly what this thing is, what this instrument, as they initially called it.

But we want to get more information. We have on the line with us U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Jennifer Johnson.

And -- and, Officer Johnson, if you -- I hope you can hear me there.

But what can you tell us about what is happening there right now?

PETTY OFFICER JENNIFER JOHNSON, U.S. COAST GUARD: Good afternoon. Thank you for having me.

At about 2:20 this afternoon, a Coast Guard port security team -- security team was conducting a routine inspection at the Port of Miami. During that inspection, it did locate supplies being loaded on to the Majesty of the Seas cruise ship.

They test -- they possibly tested positive for C-4 explosives. Currently, right now, the Miami-Dade Police Department bomb squad is on scene, and continuing their investigation.

The Coast Guard is -- is establishing a security zone around the cruise ship, and will be -- is attempting to talk to the cruise ship, and have them move to a safer berthing area in the Port of Miami.

HOLMES: And is this certainly -- you said conducting an inspection. Is this certainly routine, to go through some kind of a -- a chemical inspection, an explosives inspection, when you go through these things that are being loaded onto the ships?

JOHNSON: That is. It is a routine inspection that the Coast Guard does throughout the day on -- on all -- all cargo that's being loaded onto the ships in the Port of Miami.

HOLMES: And did nothing stand out about this package? Or can you tell me what it -- what it was, what kind of a package, what it looked like, how big, how small?

(CROSSTALK)

HOLMES: And did anything stand out about it?

JOHNSON: Sure. It was -- it was just cargo being loaded onto the ship that is sold inside the stores of the cruise ship. It's just store materials.

HOLMES: What can you tell us about the hit? We're trying to exactly -- find out exactly -- you all have mechanisms to find -- testing for explosives. But I understand that maybe dogs are being brought in now. What can you tell us about the testing that you all did, and further testing that is being done?

JOHNSON: You know, I don't have a lot of information from what is going on, on down scene. I think you will have to wait until I get that.

Things are changing rapidly. It's -- it's -- it's a -- it's a tight situation down there. So, we want to work closely with our local and state partners to determine what the extent of the -- of the problem is down there.

HOLMES: And, certainly, is everything being held up at that ship, or is this -- this one package being isolated, and then people are being allowed to continue to load, and whatnot, on the ship?

JOHNSON: I'm unsure of that at -- at the time. So, we will just have to wait until we get more information available from what is going on down at the scene.

HOLMES: And, also, not -- is it common to get a -- to get a false reading?

JOHNSON: I'm unsure. I don't -- I'm not one of the people who operate those machines.

HOLMES: OK.

JOHNSON: I will have to wait and talk to my port security team to get you that information.

HOLMES: OK.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Jennifer Johnson, thank you so much. I hope you're -- you're going to be close by, in case we need you again. But thank you for -- for giving us some time and to -- and -- and giving us some information. So...

JOHNSON: Thank you.

HOLMES: ... thank you so much.

JOHNSON: Mmm-hmm.

HOLMES: So, again, we're keeping an eye on this situation in -- in Miami -- again, plastic explosives detected on a -- on a package there.

LEMON: Yes.

HOLMES: So, we're going to keep an eye on it. They are trying to determine exactly what it is. But I will hand it back to you for now.

(CROSSTALK)

LEMON: Yes. We have got a bunch of mysteries happening today, and specifically there. You know, it would be interesting to know where this cruise ship is going, because they are saying this stuff was being loaded onto this cruise ship, to be sold in the stores. It will be interesting to find out where it came from and then where it may be going next.

And to talk about all the details, some of the stuff that you touched on, T.J., to talk about details on security at the Port of Miami, our very own Susan Candiotti.

Susan, you have followed lots of stories involving security at the port. What can you tell us now?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly, they have these routine inspections, as the Coast Guard indicated, as Miami-Dade Police indicated. They have -- they all have stations, of course, right there at the Port of Miami, be it checking out people who drive onto the port.

They check out the cargo that is coming in from out at sea, checking the manifest before it even enters the port. So, that might be interesting, in this particular situation, to find out where this cargo came in from, whether it came in from sea, whether it came in by land, and then determine precisely what kind of ship's merchandise this was.

And we have to keep in mind that, in fact, when they conduct tests for, let's say, anthrax, for example, or C-4, there is such a thing as a false positive. That's why they're being very careful. The -- once the Coast Guard tested it multiple times -- and even though, each time, it tested positive -- they wanted to bring in additional testing.

And, in this case, they brought in bomb-sniffing dogs. And they did not pick up the same scent.

LEMON: Yes.

CANDIOTTI: That's why they are cautiously calling this possible C-4, as they continue to investigate.

LEMON: And -- and, Susan, you know what I want to you ask, just to sort of break it down to our viewers, is this -- when they test for C-4, is this similar to what they do when you go through the airport, and they run the thing across your laptop, or what have you? Same sort of testing here, or is this a much more intricate sort of testing system?

CANDIOTTI: I can't answer that for you, precisely. So, I would...

LEMON: OK.

CANDIOTTI: I would rather not get it wrong.

(LAUGHTER)

CANDIOTTI: I would rather get it right for you...

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON: All right.

JOHNSON: ... in any case. So, we will -- we will find that out for you, though, and get the answer for you as -- as soon as we can.

LEMON: Yes. And that -- you know, pardon me.

That question may be better posed to Mike Brooks, who is our security expert, who can talk to us about that.

But, Susan Candiotti, we appreciate -- we appreciate your insight on all this.

Again, at the Port of Miami, some sort of suspicious device, or device that tested positive for C-4 explosives. The Miami bomb squad is on the scene. The Coast Guard is also surrounding the cruise ship there that -- where this was found.

According to someone with the U.S. Coast Guard we just spoke to just a short while ago -- our T.J. Holmes spoke to -- said that it was from products, or merchandise, that was -- that were to be sold on this ship once it got out to sea, apparently to wherever it was going.

And Susan brought it up as well. I brought it up earlier. It would be interesting to find out where this merchandise came from, what type of stuff it was being sold, and where the ship had come from, and where it was about to go. So, we will keep you updated on this story.

PHILLIPS: That actually was a good way to explain it, about going through airport security.

They will have a portable X-ray and an X-ray plate. So, it's sort of what..

LEMON: Right.

PHILLIPS: ... you do see at the airport.

And that is what they are getting ready to do there at the Port of Miami -- live pictures via WSVN, as they investigate C-4 plastic explosives that were found there at the port.

Also, we are following another developing story for you out of Sugar Land, Texas. You will see that on the other side of your screen -- live pictures via -- via KHOU. A white vapor can be seen rising from the Nalco plant. They are working on that, trying to figure what it is, and put it out, as well.

We are following both stories for you from the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Two stories that we're following for you right now live, happening here from the NEWSROOM. One out of the Texas, the other out of Florida.

First of all, our affiliate KHOU out of Houston, you'll see there in Sugarland, Texas, major plumes of white vapor were seen rising from this plant, the Nalco plant near highway 59 at highway 90.

A tanker truck seemed to have been venting some sort of product in this plant. Not sure what type of substance is involved, but you can see that fire crews there are trying to douse it with flames, whatever it is. Not sure if is there is a hazard to nearby residents.

There was somebody that was answering the phones there at the Nalco energy services telling callers near the Nalco plant to take certain shelter in various places, so they are responding to the community. There are four schools, also, they are discussing about evacuating. We can tell you more about that.

But the other story too that is developing right now at the port of Miami, some C-4 plastic explosives have been found right here at the port. These live pictures coming to us from WFOR. The bomb squad was called out, they were actually going to X-ray it with a portable X-ray and an X-ray plate and we're told just minutes ago, they blew up the suitcase that they found.

So let's take a look. You can see right there, real quickly, very quickly. So, obviously, they found it safe to approach that suitcase and de-escalate any chance of an explosion there.

We've got Roy Rutland now on the phone with the Miami-Dade police, who was actually checking out more information because that explosion, or that explosion happened just a few seconds ago blowing up that package. Roy, they obviously felt safe to do so. Tell us what helped them make that decision and why they proceeded to destroy the suitcase.

ROY RUTLAND, MIAMI-DADE POLICE (on phone): Good afternoon. Well, that's stated protocol for Miami-Dade police. I can tell you that information we have is that a truck was off-loaded with some provisions on it. Those provisions, as part of routine security check, were scanned through one of our instruments.

During that scanning, that instrument alerted positive. We can't confirm what it alerted positive for, but of course at that point, we sent out Miami-Dade police bomb squad to investigate.

PHILLIPS: So you're not exactly sure if indeed there were explosive in there? It just tested positive and it could have been false, right, but just to be safe, you went ahead and got rid of the suitcase?

RUTLAND: That's absolutely correct. It could have been a false positive, that's why we sent out our bomb squad. We could confirm it a little bit later once our bomb squad finishes and clears that hot zone.

PHILLIPS: So when they did the X-ray, what exactly did they see, do you know?

RUTLAND: No, I do not know. We're waiting for a bomb squad to contact us. I do know it's standard operating procedure for us to send a bomb squad out whenever we do have an instrument that does test positive for anything.

PHILLIPS: How many times did you test it?

RUTLAND: My understanding it went through the scanner, tested positive, alerted our instrument. We immediately dispatched our bomb squad.

PHILLIPS: So it was only tested one time?

RUTLAND: I do not know the amount. My understanding is the initial test, when it tested positive, when the instrument was alerted, we sent our bomb squad immediately.

PHILLIPS: OK, so what happens now, Roy?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to wait and test additional items out there. Once we feel that hot zone is clear, we'll clear the entire area and, of course, back to business in the port of Miami.

PHILLIPS: So do you think this was the only suitcase that tested positive? Has anything else been checked? Are there still things that are on that boat?

RUTLAND: My understanding it was a pallet that alerted the instrument, so until we clear that pallet, our bomb squad finished, we will not have an answer.

PHILLIPS: Where was the boat headed to or coming from?

RUTLAND: You know, I don't know that. My understanding is that we had just off-loaded one of our trucks way before boarding any of these vessels. When we off-loaded the truck when that pallet went through the scanner, that's when it was tested positive.

PHILLIPS: Do you know who the pallet belonged to?

RUTLAND: I do not.

PHILLIPS: OK, is there a manifest that will show who was responsible for that pallet? Will you be able to track it back to the original person, company?

RUTLAND: I'm confident there is, and we certainly will do that. That will be part of our investigation, absolutely.

PHILLIPS: Do you know what the pallet was supposed to be?

RUTLAND: No, I do not know the provisions that were on it. I understand we had just off-loaded it prior to it boarding any vessel though.

PHILLIPS: Well Roy, what does this tell you about your systems?

RUTLAND: I think we have a very efficient system. We have a very quick response to any of these scenes and I think that we have a positive record for responding quickly and treating these situations in a proper way.

PHILLIPS: So when is the port going to be back open for business?

RUTLAND: I do not know. I know there is an immediate hot zone that is still closed, the rest of the port from my understanding is open. Once they clear that hot zone, we will remove and open the rest of the port of Miami.

PHILLIPS: A lot of stuff to still clear in that area? A lot of packages? A lot of pallets? How much cargo do you think needs to be cleared?

RUTLAND: My understanding that there was one pallet initially.

PHILLIPS: OK, so that could just be it. This could be cleared pretty soon?

RUTLAND: Absolutely. And, again, it could have been a false positive. Our job is to investigate that thoroughly.

PHILLIPS: Got it. Roy Rutland with the Miami-Dade police. Appreciate it, Roy.

RUTLAND: OK.

PHILLIPS: We're going to stay on top of this story at the port of Miami, let you know. It looks like it's an all-clear. Obviously Roy Rutland still saying it's a hot zone. They still have to just make sure there is no other threat there on the port. But for right now, it looks like that one concern that the police had about possible C-4 plastic explosives being in that bag could have been a false positive, but they were safe. They X-rayed it, they were able to blow that package up and it all looks good at this point.

Another story that we're following out of Sugarland, Texas.

LEMON: Yes, this just in, we found out what the chemical is that has been floating in the air that no one knew what it was. Ethylenediamine, it's a colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor. It is used as a solvent in the production of dyes, waxes, pesticides and antifreeze solutions. So if that is out in the atmosphere it doesn't seem like it bodes well for the folks who may be nearby. We're telling you major plumes of white vapor rising from this plant, the Nalco plant near highway 59 and highway 90. That's if you're near Sugarland, Texas, this is sort of a suburb of Houston, not far from Houston.

Now according to the officials, they have -- a couple of schools, there are four of them at least have been evacuated and that includes the Lakeview Elementary and a couple of other schools there. So if you're in that area, there should be some concern. You may want to call to check it out.

But joining me now on the phone is Doug Adolph. Doug Adolph is with the Sugarland public information officer for the police department. Am I correct in ethylenediamine, Mr. Adolph?

DOUG ADOLPH, SUGARLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT (on phone): That is the report that I've received.

LEMON: What do you know about the substance?

ADOLPH: I can't tell you much about the substance. I just learned that that is what it was and haven't been able to confirm that as of right now.

What we do want to share with our residents though is that we have issued a shelter in place for subdivisions that include the Brookside Billnap (ph), Venetian Estates (ph), the Hill and Mayfield Park (ph).

These would be subdivisions that are in an area that is south of Jespertle (ph), east of highway 6, north of U.S. 59 and west of Dairy Ashford (ph). And when we say shelter in place, what we'd like our residents to do is to keep the doors and windows closed and turn off their A.C. unit.

LEMON: OK, so it's a shelter in place. The schools have not been evacuated?

ADOLPH: I would have to refer to you the school district regarding any possible evacuations, but if there are schools in that area and there are, we hope that they would be sheltering the place, also.

LEMON: OK, stand by, don't go anywhere. I'm going to tell you about this ethylenediamine while I have you on the phone here. It says it can affect your breathing, passing through your skin. It's corrosive, severely irritating to burn the skin and eyes, with possible damage. So it can give you asthma-like symptoms. Of course irritating your nose, throat and lungs. This appears to be very similar, Mr. Adolph. Are you prepared for this?

ADOLPH: Right now we have hazmat crews on the scene, both the Nalco hazmat crew and the city of Sugarland's hazmat team. They are working as we speak to contain this leak and taking on necessary precautions. LEMON: OK, so just as you said, you shelter in place. I want to know exactly what -- have you had anyone call into the hospital or have you had anyone who has complained about irritation? Have they been transported to a hospital? Any injuries in all of this?

ADOLPH: I've received no reports to that effect.

LEMON: OK, do you know if anything happening at least at this plant or similar type chemical in recent history?

ADOLPH: No, I do not.

LEMON: No, OK. Do you have a phone number, anything set up for people who may have some concerns in that area? What should they do?

ADOLPH: Well, we are working through the media of course, communicating updates on to our local media, hosting information on our Web site, which is www.sugarlandtx.gov. And we've also issued a reverse 911 notification to individuals living within that geographic area that I mentioned earlier.

LEMON: OK, again, www.sugarlandtx.gov.

ADOLPH: That is correct.

LEMON: People need information, OK. In case they want to get their kids or they need to know where to go. I want to thank you very much Doug Adolph for joining us again. CNN has learned that this is ethylenediamine, it's a colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor.

That is apparently what was released into the air as we watch these live pictures coming in from Sugarland, Texas, released into the air a short time ago. As you heard, the representative from the Sugarland police police department there working very diligently at top speed trying to get all this taken care of and of course the police department and emergency officials there have ordered a shelter in place system.

And according to this person, he wants you to logon to the Internet or you can call the Sugarland police department and hopefully you can get through on the lines if you have any information. The Web site is www.sugarlandtx.gov. More information on this just as soon as we get it -- Kyra?

PHILLIPS: The other story that we're following is out at the port of Miami. We can tell you we've been given the all-clear from Miami-Dade police right now. Here is what happened. A pallet of provisions was about to be loaded on this cruise ship. This is the Royal Caribbean International's Majesty of the Seas. And as it was going through its screening process, this one pallet tested positive for C-4 plastic explosives. Now it is possible it could have been a false positive, but the bomb squad felt pretty sure that they had an issue on hand since they had tested it a couple times and it came back positive for these explosives and we actually have the explosion. We're going to go ahead and show you that. That happened about ten minutes ago. You'll see it right here. The bomb squad taking care of that pallet right there. Now, of course, they are going to go through, check everything else that was supposed to go aboard that cruise ship. But right now, it looks like an all-clear. Everything is OK.

Now you know, these development came just a day after three Middle Eastern men in a cargo truck sparked a brief and unfounded terrorism scare at the port. That happened after the bomb squad searched this area on Sunday, just yesterday.

The authorities determined that the freight of automotive parts was harmless and the incident stemmed from a simple miscommunication. But here we are a day later, now this pallet test positive for these C-4 explosives. Bomb squad is called out. They took care of that pallet. They blew it up after X-raying it. Checking it out, making sure it's not a threat.

They are going to continue to check everything else that is supposed to go aboard that cargo ship and we'll bring you all the latest information -- live pictures coming from our affiliate WSVN. We will have more on these two developing stories -- one out of Sugarland, Texas and the port of Miami, right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Following two developing stories for you. One out of Texas and the other out of Miami. This is the port of Miami you are seeing on one side of your screen, live pictures coming to us from WSVN.

Just to quickly tell you what happened, there was a pallet of provisions that was being loaded on this cruise ship at the port of Miami and it tested positive for C-4 plastic explosives. The package was tested a couple times, it came back positive for C-4 and that is when the bomb squad was called in.

They blew it up within about the past 20 minutes after doing an X-ray and deciding it was safe to take care of it that way. It's pretty normal operating procedure.

The FBI is also on notice. They're following what has happened here. That package was to be loaded aboard the Royal Caribbean international's Majesty of the Seas cruise ship. And the explosive detection instruments, obviously, checking all of these pallets came up with a positive on C-4.

They took care of the package. And this had everybody on edge a little bit because these developments come just a day after three Middle Eastern men were in a cargo truck at this same port, this happened yesterday, and it sparked a bit of a brief terrorism scare (INAUDIBLE) decided it was unfounded, though, it was miscommunication.

A bomb squad was called in and they also had to check the freight that they had in this cargo truck of automotive parts. Turned out it was harmless. The incident stemmed just from miscommunication. But then you had this pallet that tested positive for C-4. A bomb squad came in, took care of it. Hopefully this area will be cleared soon according to the Miami-Dade police.

LEMON: And Kyra, as all this was happening, we had another developing story happening from Sugarland, Texas. Pardon me, just getting some new information here, talking about school closings.

Sugarland, Texas -- white smoke or vapors venting there from an industrial plant that's near a Houston suburbs and it caused several schools, all schools in the area really, to go on lockdown and to shelter in place as a spokesman told us a short time ago.

Just got the list of those schools, I'll give them to you in a second. I want to tell you about what this stuff is. Very serious chemical leaking there from that plant called ethylenediamine. And it can affect how you breathe, it can pass through your skin. It is corrosive upon contact, severely irritating burning the skin and the eyes.

And then, here's what's even more important than that, besides the allergy-like symptoms that it gives, it may damage the liver and kidneys. So, this is very serious stuff that has been leaking from this plant for just about most, about an hour here.

Now here is a list of schools. Schools that are closed in that area. Lakeview Elementary School, at least on this shelter-in-place as we call it. Lakeview Elementary School, Sugar Mill Elementary, Sugar Land Middle School, Kemper High School and M.R. Wood Alternative Schools.

If you're in that area, of course, officials there are telling you to let your children stay at the schools. They are in a shelter- in-place. And then once this is all over you can go pick the children up.

And that was the latest information from a spokesperson that we just spoke to just a short time ago. His name is Doug Adolph, talked about a shelter-in-place system happening there.

But again, this is white plumes could be seen coming from this place in Sugarland, Texas. Still live pictures there. You can see it very noxious fumes, very dangerous if inhaled.

We'll have the latest on this story, including the story breaking in Miami just on the other side of the break. Right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: We're getting word now that we're waiting for a live event from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection out of Miami. Reason why: we've been following this developing story throughout the afternoon.

Live pictures via WSVN, our affiliate there out of Miami. This the Port of Miami. This is -- I can tell you what happened is that there was a pallet of provisions that was about to be loaded on the cruise ship that you are seeing there. This is actually a live shot from the Port of Miami. You can still see the bomb squad maneuvering around the port after this happened.

But this was the deal. The pallet provisions was about to be loaded aboard the Royal Caribbean International's Majesty of the Seas. It went through the regular check process. And, indeed, it turned up positive, this one pallet for C-4 explosives. They tested it a couple times. They were still concerned that it was coming up positive. It could have been a false positive, but they called in the bomb squad. They X-rayed it and they brought in a little portable x-ray machine. It was an x-ray plate, decided it was safe to contain the situation and go ahead and blow up that pallet, which they did.

We actually have are it on tape. Let's take a listen.

OK, we don't have sound. I thought we had a little sound there. I apologize. But you were able to see. It just happened quickly.

So, the threat taken away there on the port. This got everybody concerned there in the area of Miami and there at the port, specifically because just yesterday, there were three Middle Eastern men detained with a cargo truck. There was concern about some automotive parts that they had on there. It turned out harmless, though. The incident stemmed from a simple miscommunication. But, of course, everybody on their toes today when they got word that this pallet tested positive for C-4 explosives.

The bomb squad came out, took care of it. Now they're clearing the whole area, still considered a hot zone according to the Miami- Dade police. But they are checking the rest of those pallets and provisions that were about to go aboard that cruise ship. And, hopefully, folks will get the all-clear to be able to work in and out of that port sometime this afternoon.

Live pictures from our other affiliate WPLG. Thanks to our affiliate for those.

LEMON: And, Kyra,let's go live now to Sugar Land, Texas. Looking at live pictures from there earlier, we saw a plume of white smoke. You can see this is -- this appears to be at one of the schools near this plant, this industrial plant that was leaking white smoke or plumes into the air. What we're looking at appears to be schools.

Let me tell you about the schools. At least that's one of them there. Those schools, they have been asked to shelter in place, which means if there are children or faculty there or what have you, they want them to stay there until this is all over. Several schools there, folks were told to shelter in place at least five nearby schools.

According to a spokesman, a Sugar Land official told staff and students as a precaution at first they wanted them to evacuate. Then they said, "No, let's not dot that." With this type of situation, it's best they stay indoors to get as little possible smell or inhalation of this as possible if they do it at all. So maybe by going out, they were concerned about that.

Let me tell you about the chemical that's in the air. You're looking at -- let's look at -- that's a tape of the white smoke, or at least plume of it that has been hovering over this industrial plant.

I'll tell you about the chemical in the plant. Highway 59, it's a Nalco plant near Highway 59 and Highway 90 in Sugar Land, Texas, a suburb of Houston.

Now for the chemical. The chemical is called Ethylenediamine, a very substance. If it is inhaled or if it touches your skin it can cause breathing problems. It passes through the skin. It is a corrosive chemical, upon contact can severely imitate -- irritate, rather, and burn the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. The very serious part of that, if that's not serious enough, it may damage the liver and the kidneys if you touch it or if it's inhaled.

So they're trying to do all of that, get a handle on all of this and keep people indoors. Several neighborhoods -- we had the representative on just a short time ago from the Sugar Land Police Department telling folks in the surrounding neighborhoods in that area to stay put, shelter in place.

Again, a number of schools being told the same thing, shelter in place. I'm going to give you the list of the schools in case you're in that area and you can't make it to a phone or to a computer to call them. The list of schools are: Lakeview Elementary School, which is at 314 Lakeview Drive; Sugar Land Middle School, 321 South 7th Street; Sugar Mill Elementary, 13707 Jespertle (ph); and M.R. Wood (ph) Alternative School at 139th -- 139, rather, Avenue E.

So, lots happening here. So far in this, no injuries to report, but we're checking with folks there, checking with our sources, checking with the affiliates and producers and reporters on the ground from all of our CNN affiliates, working our sources in Sugar Land, Texas. We'll update you on this.

And also working on our sources in Miami at the Port of Miami, where a device -- live pictures there from WSVN -- where a device was found a short time ago and the package in which it was found was blown up.

We'll have both of these stories coming right back at you in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: CNN's Susan Candiotti, on the phone.

Susan, what was in that suspicious pallet that the bomb squad blew up?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, we can tell you it's an all-clear at the Port of Miami. They were inspecting cargo that contained a fire sprinkler part. They did detect explosive chemical of some (INAUDIBLE). They don't know where it came from, but they blew it up and the security problem is over now at the port.

Authorities don't know how the explosive-type material got onto this box that contained fire sprinkler past. (INAUDIBLE) situation all clear.

PHILLIPS: OK. Are they needing to test any other pallets or cargo that's going on that ship? Or they feel good that it's ready to go?

CANDIOTTI: They are satisfied that all is clear. All of the emergency crews have left the port. Normal operations are resuming.

PHILLIPS: Susan Candiotti at the Port of Miami, thanks so much.

It turns out that that testing that initially the bomb squad thought might have been C-4 explosives turned out to be some sort of residue on some fire sprinkler parts. But the all-clear now at the Port of Miami. Live pictures there via WFOR. That's good news to hear.

LEMON: Yes. And that's a nice way to wind down the show here because we've been following this story in Miami and also another one out of Sugar Land, Texas where there was some sort of a plume of smoke, noxious fumes coming out there. So we've been following that story.

There, you're looking at live pictures there. They're working on trying to contain all of that. So far, in this, this one in Sugar Land, Texas, no reports of injuries. But this is some very serious stuff that can damage your lungs, your kidneys, your skin and can cause all types of breathing problems. So those two stories, we'll be following later on CNN.

PHILLIPS: And so will Wolf Blitzer as he starts things off now in the SITUATION ROOM -- Wolf.

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