FBI hazmat team descends on homemade science lab at luxury California house

"The landlord of the home in Altair, a guard-gated community of multimillion-dollar homes, called Irvine police on Monday afternoon, Feb. 23 to alert them to suspicious items, according to the Irvine Police Department. Officers arrived and summoned the Orange County Fire Authority, and the investigation later was turned over to the FBI."

"Irvine Police on Thursday issued a statement saying the situation began after a juvenile at the residence mixed unknown chemicals. Investigators were analyzing the substances, police said. A tented area could be seen outside the house on Thursday, along with multiple unmarked trucks, trailers, Irvine Police Department vehicles and OCFA SUVs."

"The FBI continues to work this matter jointly with the Irvine Police Department, the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff's Department, FBI spokeswoman Lourdes Arocho said. There is no known threat to public safety."

A rented luxury home in Altair, an upscale gated community in Irvine, became the site of a major federal investigation after a landlord discovered suspicious items on Monday, February 23. A juvenile at the residence had mixed unknown chemicals, prompting authorities to respond. The FBI's Evidence Response Team and Hazardous Evidence Response Team were deployed alongside the Orange County Fire Authority, Irvine Police Department, and Orange County Sheriff's Department. Multiple unmarked vehicles, trailers, and a tented area were visible at the scene. Investigators analyzed the substances while concerned neighbors sought information about the items. Authorities stated there was no known threat to public safety, though the investigation continued across multiple agencies.

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