Officials: Threat, powder sent to McCain office in Centennial

CENTENNIAL - Threatening letters containing an unidentified white powder were sent to John McCain campaign offices Colorado and New Hampshire Thursday, officials said.

No injuries were immediately reported.

At least 19 people were examined at hospitals or were quarantined outside the office in Centennial, Colo., a south Denver suburb. The office was evacuated, and authorities were trying to determine whether the powder was hazardous.

A McCain campaign source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the campaign's office in Manchester, N.H., had been evacuated and the staffers underwent medical examinations.

No other details were immediately available from New Hampshire.

Jeff Sadosky, a spokesman with McCain's national campaign office in Arlington, Va., confirmed threatening letters were sent to both the Colorado and New Hampshire offices.

In Colorado, seven people drove themselves to Sky Ridge Medical Center, but none showed any symptoms of exposure to a toxic substance, hospital spokeswoman Linda Watson said.

Twelve people were quarantined outside the Colorado office, including three police officers, two firefighters and seven civilians, said Andy Lyon of Parker South Metro Fire Rescue Authority.

"Our guys did not find any powder. There were maybe a couple of grains of something inside an envelope and they had to kind of work to get a sample," Lyon said.

Postal Inspector Jo Jan Henderson said agents from her office are the scene in Centennial.

Officials with the FBI, Secret Service and the Arapahoe County, Colo., Sheriff's Department did not immediately return calls.

The threats came four days before the Democratic National Convention opens in Denver.