When the fire was extinguished, U.S. Capitol police, citing an “external security threat,” advised lawmakers and staff to take shelter. Capitol police ordered the complex to ‘return to normal operations’ shortly after 11:30 p.m.
The response underscores the tremendous sense of warning this week in Washington, DC. It comes less than two weeks after the deadly siege at the Capitol left five dead and two days before the election of President Joe Biden, who turned the city center into an armed police zone.
There are currently hundreds of National Guard troops on the eastern front of the Capitol. Another warning at one point prompted people to stay inside, not walk away and keep away from windows and doors.
Capitol authorities evacuated the western front of the building as well as the manger on the first floor.
“I was just trying to leave the office of the Longworth House office building after getting my Covid test, only to hear that the building was now closed. Apparently an external threat. Propane tanks under some bridge. Stuck in my office, “a Democratic organization told the congressman to CNN shortly after the incident was reported.
This story has been updated with additional developments.