Rigged letters intercepted in Va., W.Va

RICHMOND -- Letters rigged to ignite when opened and bound for the governor's offices in Virginia and West Virginia were intercepted yesterday, officials said. Governor's offices in at least 16 other states, including Massachusetts, got similar letters last week.

The letter that arrived in Richmond never threatened Governor Mark R. Warner, said Bill Leighty, the governor's chief of staff. The letter, addressed to ''executive chambers" in the state Capitol, was uncovered at a central postage-handling facility, Leighty said.

A letter to Governor Bob Wise of West Virginia was intercepted there. Like the letters received last week, both bore a return address from Nevada's maximum-security Ely State Prison.

At least three of the 16 letters received last week caught fire, but no one was hurt.

Federal and state authorities have narrowed their investigation to a single person of interest, according to Glen Whorton, assistant director for the Nevada Corrections Department.

Whorton said Saturday it does not appear that any of the letters contained any writings.

FBI agent Todd Palmer in Las Vegas said authorities have yet to open any of the other envelopes that were intercepted, and lab analysis of the letters was expected to take a few days.