Special hazardous materials response teams and firefighters responded at the Pentagon in the U.S. , with continuous checkson air quality following the securityalert.
The focus of an extensive security operation was the U.S. Pentagon, where emergency protocols following indications of a potential indoor air quality issue in multiple sections of the building. Authorities proceeded with a lockdown specific floors and targeted evacuations, while special hazardous materials response units were deployed on site to collaboration with the fire department. At the same time extensive inspections were underway to identify the cause of the incident, which, as it turned out, was a false alarm, resulting in the termination of emergency measures.
Many floors and corridors inside the U.S. Pentagon had been placed under lockdown, while others were evacuated due to an “incident involving hazardous materials”, according to three CNN sources familiar with the situation and the local fire department.
Standard security protocols are in effect
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, confirmed on Thursday that systems within the Pentagon “have detected an air quality issue that requires precautionary measures until its significance is determined.” “The department is implementing standard safety protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area,” Parnell said. “Response teams are on site and ready to assist those inside the building.”
The Pentagon Force Protection Agency’s Hazardous Materials Response Team (Pentagon Force Protection Agency) is responding to the incident with the assistance of the Arlington County Fire Department, according to agency spokesperson Captain Jamie Gill. A post by Arlington Fire & EMS states that the Arlington Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team is operating at the Pentagon “during an incident involving hazardous materials.”
The message
A message sent by the Pentagon security team stated that an “air quality issue” had been detected and that further testing was required.
“The testing may take one to two hours. Response teams are already in place and ready to assist building occupants if necessary. You may see emergency personnel from various agencies and notice precautionary measures being taken in the central courtyard. Please do not read too much into these activities,” the message states.
Floors 2 through 5 in corridors 4 through 7 of the massive Pentagon complex have been placed under lockdown, two of CNN’s sources reported. A third source told CNN that police officers in the building are wearing gas masks and full chemical protective gear.
The timeline
A biochemical threat response team was called and dispatched to the Pentagon following an incident involving “hazardous substances”.
Around 7:00 p.m. (Greek time), CNN reported that the alarm was a false alarm.
During the investigation, measurements showed that there was no cause for concern.
Watch a video of the incident:
Many floors and hallways inside the building were cordoned off, while other floors were evacuated due to the incident, according to three sources familiar with the matter and the local fire department.
Floors two through five in corridors four through seven of the Pentagon have been locked down, two of the sources said. A third source told CNN that police officers inside the building are wearing gas masks and full chemical protective gear.
The incident, without details regarding its nature, was also confirmed by the local fire department.
Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed on Thursday that systems within the Pentagon “detected an air quality issue that requires precautionary measures until its severity is determined.”
“The department is implementing standard safety protocols, including a stay-in-place order for the affected area,” he said, adding: “Response teams are in position and ready to assist the building’s occupants.”
