Heavy Smoke Forces Partial Pentagon Evacuation
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon was partially evacuated on Friday morning due to heavy smoke near a construction area in the main concourse of the United States Department of Defence headquarters, officials said.
Investigators found heavy smoke, but no fire in a mechanical room on the fifth floor. There were no injuries, the department said.
“It’s all contained. It’s under control, but they haven’t issued an all-clear yet,” a spokeswoman said. Pentagon police and Arlington County, Virginia, fire fighters were on the scene investigating the incident.
The evacuation order for part of the Pentagon was still in effect and the building entrance near the building’s Metro transit stop was closed.
The Pentagon has been undergoing a renovation for several years, with construction currently focused on the main concourse, which houses shops, banking and mail facilities. reuters
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