Pentagon hazardous materials scare that led to evacuation turned out to be a false alarm, report says | Today’s news
The hazardous materials incident that prompted a Pentagon lockdown on Thursday was ultimately determined to be a false alarm, according to a CNN report, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Firefighters had previously responded to a suspected hazardous materials incident at the Pentagon on Thursday, according to Arlington County Fire Department officials who announced the situation in a post on X.
Firefighters did not provide further details about the nature of the incident.
According to a CNN report citing unnamed sources, the building was locked down and residents were evacuated from several floors. The report also said that emergency personnel were operating in full protective gear, including gas masks and chemical-resistant suits.
“The Pentagon has sophisticated systems in place to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants. These systems have detected an air quality issue that requires precautionary measures until we determine its severity,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in an email, according to Reuters.
“The Department is implementing standard protective protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area. Response teams are on site and ready to support building occupants.”
A notice issued by a security team at the Pentagon said an “air quality issue” had been identified in the building and that further testing was needed to determine the cause and evaluate any potential risks, CNN reported.
“This additional testing may take one to two hours. Response teams are on site and ready to support building occupants if needed. In the central courtyard, you may observe response personnel from various agencies and precautionary measures. Please do not interpret these activities,” the message read.
The five-sided Pentagon, which was hit during the Al-Qaeda attacks of 9/11, is one of the largest office buildings in the world.
(With inputs from Reuters)
(This is a developing story; check back later for updates)
