FBI Probes Teen's Home Chemistry Lab in Irvine

Federal agents and hazardous materials teams continued their investigation Friday at a luxury home in Irvine, California, five days after authorities responded to reports of suspicious chemical activity linked to a teenager's homemade science experiments.

The probe began on the afternoon of February 23 when the landlord of a two-story residence in the gated Altair community, located on Cartwheel near Iluna and across from Portola High School, contacted Irvine police about concerning circumstances. Officers arrived and summoned the Orange County Fire Authority's hazmat unit, which identified items requiring further scrutiny. The Federal Bureau of Investigation soon took over, deploying its Evidence Response Team and Hazardous Evidence Response Team at the fire authority's request. A specialized California National Guard unit, focused on weapons of mass destruction scenarios, also joined at the FBI's invitation.

Irvine police stated Thursday that the situation stemmed from a juvenile resident mixing unknown chemicals. Investigators found chemical equations on a whiteboard inside the home that raised concerns, prompting experts from the FBI's Quantico headquarters to assist. Teams...