WASHINGTON–A hazardous materials incident put the Pentagon on lockdown on Thursday as fire officials investigated the air quality issue, defense and fire officials said.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed Thursday that systems within the Pentagon “have detected an air quality issue necessitating precautionary measures until we determine its significance.”
“The Department is executing standard protection protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area,” Parnell said. “Response teams are in place and ready to support building occupants.”
The Pentagon Force Protection Agency’s hazardous materials response team is responding to the incident with the assistance of the Arlington County Fire Department, according to the department spokesperson, Capt. Jamie Jill. A post on social media from the Arlington Fire & EMS said the Arlington County Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team is operating at the Pentagon “during a hazardous materials incident.”
A message sent by the Pentagon’s security team said an “air quality issue” had been detected and additional testing is needed.
“This additional testing could take one to two hours. Response teams are in place and ready to support building occupants if necessary. You may observe response personnel from multiple agencies and precautionary measures taking place in the center courtyard. Please do not interpret these activities,” the message said.
The building was under lockdown, with people evacuated from several floors, CNN reported, citing unidentified sources. Floors two through five in corridors four through seven have been locked down, CNN said, citing two sources.
Another source reported seeing emergency responders wearing full gas masks and chemical protection suits, CNN said.
The five-sided Pentagon building, hit during the Sept. 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks, is one of the world's largest office buildings.