FBI warns of possible truck bomb attack, but cites no specifics

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The FBI wants the public to be alert for signs that terrorists may be planning a truck bombing. <br><br>While not suggesting any specific threats have been made in the United States,

Friday, March 29th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The FBI wants the public to be alert for signs that terrorists may be planning a truck bombing.

While not suggesting any specific threats have been made in the United States, the agency on Thursday published a list of telltale signs that people should watch for.

The FBI posted the warning on its Internet site and e-mailed the message to thousands of companies ``in an abundance of caution,'' FBI spokeswoman Debra Weireman said.

Labeled ``for informational purposes only,'' the warning urged citizens to be alert for the following signs, which it said might indicate plans for detonation of a truck bomb:

_Theft of chemicals or explosives.

_Theft of respirators or chemical-mixing devices.

_Rental of storage space for chemicals.

_Delivery of chemicals to storage spaces.

_Theft of a van or truck capable of carrying more than one ton.

_Chemical fires or toxic odors in apartments, hotel rooms or self-storage units.

_Small explosions in wooded areas, which could be bomb tests.

_Reports of hospital patients suffering losses of fingers or hands.

_Chemical burns or severed hands that remain untreated.

_Surveillance of potential targets.

_Efforts to obtain blueprints of potential targets.

The warning was published on the Web site of the FBI's National Infrastructure Protection Center, responsible for protecting the nation's most important computer networks and physical infrastructures, such as power plants or telephone towers.

``There's no indication that something might happen,'' Weireman said. ``We have reached out to the community to be on the lookout.''