U.S. News

U.S. Capitol Goes Into Lockdown Over ‘External Threat,’ Fire Breaks Out On Nearby Street

Rehearsals for Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony were disrupted by a loudspeaker announcement of the threat.

Published

5 years ago

January 18, 2021

PFW News

Update 11:00am ET: Emergency scanners suggest that the fire seen in videos from the Capitol Monday broke out at a homeless encampment several blocks away from Capitol grounds.

The DC Fire Department says that the use of a propane tank at the encampment may explain the reports of an explosion.

Update outside fire 100 block of H St SE. Fire involved a homeless tent beneath freeway. #DCsBravest quickly extinguished fire. Occupant indicated she was using propane, which may explain report of “explosion “. 1 individual with non life threatening injury.
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 18, 2021

Huge cloud of smoke in Washington DC Freeway at 395- 695 Freeway right. G the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/EQnv0OMRxE
— Saqib Ul Islam (@SaqibIslam) January 18, 2021

Police released a statement saying that the Capitol was locked down out of “an abundance of caution” following the fire.

According to the Secret Service there is no threat to the public.

Public safety and law enforcement responded to a small fire in the area of 1st and F streets SE, Washington, D.C. that has been extinguished. Out of an abundance of caution the U.S. Capitol complex was temporarily shutdown. There is no threat to the public. pic.twitter.com/kQfAI4NxNK
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) January 18, 2021

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The U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. is reportedly under lockdown as witnesses tell Reuters that an “external security threat” had been detected.

“The U.S. Capitol and surrounding House and Senate offices are on lockdown. Loud speakers warned of an “exterior threat” as my coworker and I were walking to get COVID-19 tests ahead of Inauguration Day,” reported Jessi Turnure, a D.C. correspondent for Next Star.

Initial reports on the lockdown claimed that smoke was pouring from the Capitol building but it would be revealed the smoke was coming from a nearby building. The fire was quickly distinguished by the D.C. Fire Department.

Rehearsals for Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony were disrupted by the loudspeaker announcement of the threat with Capitol Police urging people to take cover.

The nature of the threat was not immediately clear, but entry and exit points into the Capitol were quickly locked down.

U.S. Capitol Police have issued a security warning to everyone inside.

“All buildings within the Capitol Complex: External security threat, no entry or exit is permitted, stay away from exterior windows, doors. If outside, seek cover.” https://t.co/37AxIjyt4F
— Cory Smith (@CoryNBC) January 18, 2021

From @dcfireems: “#DCsBravest responded to an outside fire in the 100 block of H St SE that has been extinguished. There were no injuries. This accounts for smoke that many have seen.” #NexstarDC
— Jessi Turnure (@JessiTurnure) January 18, 2021

BREAKING: Happening now at Capitol. Smoke and emergency announcements. pic.twitter.com/eIcn5WD1LN
— @amuse (@amuse) January 18, 2021

All that smoke is coming from a fire under the Interstate 695 overpass in Navy Yard. This video makes it seem close but it's about half a mile south of the Capitol. Burning tent per fire scanner, they've got it under control. https://t.co/obVvph8c4e
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 18, 2021

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