A rehearsal for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony at the Capitol was suspended because of an “external security threat” on Monday.
The BBC reports police say they are taking heavy precaution after witnesses reported smoke rising nearby. The fire was several blocks away. The Secret Service claimed in a tweet that there was no danger to the public as the security threat was from a nearby fire.
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
“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,” said the Secret Service. “Out of an abundance of caution the U.S. Capitol complex was temporarily shutdown. There is no threat to the public.”
An alert was sent to Capitol staff informing them of a lockdown, stating that nobody would be allowed in and out of the building. An emergency announcement reportedly played on the speakers and thousands of National Guard members were deployed.
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