US Capitol building in Washington, D.C. was put under lockdown on Mondayamid a potential external security threat, Capitol Police said, whichturned out to be a nearby fire.
As a fire was reported several blocks away from the building under a nearbybridge, lawmakers and other personnel in Capitol Hill were informedimmediately as smoke could be seen from distance.
They were told to stay inside the buildings and stay away from exteriorwindows and doors.
Washington, D.C. fire department and emergency medical services said onTwitter they responded to “an outside fire in the 100 block of H St SE thathas been extinguished.”
There were no injuries, it said, adding “This accounts for smoke that manyhave seen.”
Personnel involved in President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration rehearsalalso evacuated the area.
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Capitol Hill is currently operating as a military zone ahead of Biden’sinauguration on Wednesday with increased security after supporters ofoutgoing President Donald Trump clashed with the police and stormed thebuilding on Jan. 6.
The violent riot resulted in deaths of five people.
There are seven-foot barriers staged around the Capitol and officebuildings surrounding, including the Supreme Court.
