2 packages explode in Maryland state buildings

A federal official says two packages exploded Thursday at state government buildings in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, according to NBC News.

Both were apparently sent through the mail, an official says. In both cases, the packages emitted a small bang or flame.

An official says two people, including a mailroom employee, suffered minor injuries.

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State police tell NBC News that one package was about the size of a book. When it was opened, it emitted smoke. One pf the packages was sent to the Jeffrey Building in downtown Annapolis. The other was sent to the Maryland Department of Transportation in Hanover.

The Annapolis Fire Department's bomb squad was investigating the State House incident and the state's bomb squad and FBI officials were on their way to the Jeffrey Building on Francis Street, where the incident took place, as of 12:51 p.m., according to a report on the baltimoresun.com.

Emergency officials also could be seen at the Harry Hughes Department of Transportation Building in Hanover.

A spokesman for Gov. Martin O'Malley told HometownAnnapolis.com that cabinet secretaries have been instructed to shut down mail rooms and not deliver mail.

The Jeffrey Building in Annapolis includes a number of gubernatorial staff offices, including the Office of Homeland Security, the appointments office, the secretary of state and Veteran's Afffairs.