Washington – A fire under a highway several blocks from the Capitol caused a brief closure of the complex and the evacuation of a rehearsal of Wednesday’s inauguration, reflecting the heightened state of alert in the nation’s capital.
Capitol Police warned those in the Capitol to stay in because of an “outside security threat” and to block access to and from the building. A rehearsal on the western front of the Capitol was evacuated, telling media members to return to nearby trailers.
Capitol Police said a fire under a freeway several blocks south of the Capitol caused the shutdown.
In an abundance of caution following an outside security threat under the bridge on I-295 at First and F Streets, SE, Acting Chief Pittman ordered the closure of the Capitol Complex. There are currently no fires on or within the Capitol campus. Capitol Police said. “Members and staff were advised to take shelter on site while the incident is being investigated.”
The US Secret Service said the fire had been extinguished and that there was “no threat to the public.”
The shock comes as thousands of troops arrive in Washington before the inauguration, blocking the streets around the Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.