WASHINGTON - Federal officials say the FBI is probing whether a man tried to ignite his shoes on a DC to Denver flight.

An official says an air marshal on the flight apparently restrained him. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.

Transportation Security Administration Kristin Lee says the man is being interviewed by law enforcement in Denver.

Two officials say the man is a Qatari diplomat who has been in the United States for years.

Unlike the Christmas Day bomb attempt on an Detroit-bound airliner, officials say it is not immediately clear what the man was trying to do -- something harmful like start a fire or explosion, or something as innocent as smoke a cigarette.

Officials insisted Wednesday night it was still too early to tell whether the incident was an attempted act of terrorism or a giant misunderstanding.