PORTLAND, Ore. -- A scare involving possible explosive material shut down the central ticket lobby at the Portland International Airport on Friday morning.

At about 5:45 a.m., Transportation Security Administration staff members were screening a firearms container at a screening station for checked bags when they found what appeared to be explosive material.

Port of Portland spokesman Steve Johnson said the airport closed the central ticket lobby and a portion of the nearby terminal roadway as a precaution. An Explosive Disposal Unit was able to safely remove the material from the lobby, officials said.

Port police were then able to find the traveler who owned the container, which appeared to be a metal gun case, officials said.

The traveler was questioned and released, Johnson said, and the ticket lobby resumed regular operations by about 6:30 a.m.

Federal Aviation Administration rules state that people can carry a locked, hard-sided gun case onto a plane, but the case must be checked in and airlines need to be notified ahead of time.

People traveling through the airport Friday morning said they were glad authorities took precautions.

"I'm glad everyone was prepared. Luckily, it was a false alarm and got sorted out," said Matt Solvanson.

No charges have been issued and the case was forwarded to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Explosives Scare Closes Lobby At PDX