Special hazardous materials response teams<\/b> and firefighters<\/b> responded at the Pentagon in the U.S. <\/b>, with continuous checks<\/b>on air quality following the security<\/b>alert.<\/p>\n
The focus of an extensive security operation<\/b> was the U.S. Pentagon<\/b>, where emergency protocols<\/b> following indications of a potential indoor air quality issue<\/b> in multiple sections of the building. Authorities proceeded with a lockdown<\/b> specific floors and targeted evacuations<\/b>, while special hazardous materials response units<\/b> were deployed on site to collaboration <\/b>with the fire department<\/b>. At the same time extensive inspections<\/b> 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<\/b>.<\/p>\n
Many floors and corridors inside the U.S. Pentagon<\/b> had been placed under lockdown, while others were evacuated due to an \u201cincident involving hazardous materials\u201d<\/b>, according to three CNN sources familiar with the situation<\/b> and the local fire department<\/b>.<\/p>\nStandard security protocols are in effect<\/h3>\n
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, confirmed on Thursday that systems within the Pentagon \u201chave detected an air quality issue that requires precautionary measures until its significance is determined.\u201d \u201cThe department is implementing standard safety protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area,\u201d Parnell said. \u201cResponse teams are on site and ready to assist those inside the building.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pentagon Force Protection Agency\u2019s 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\u2019s Hazardous Materials Team is operating at the Pentagon \u201cduring an incident involving hazardous materials.\u201d<\/p>\n
A message sent by the Pentagon security team stated that an \u201cair quality issue\u201d had been detected and that further testing was required.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d the message states.<\/p>\n
Floors 2 through 5 in corridors 4 through 7 of the massive Pentagon complex have been placed under lockdown, two of CNN\u2019s sources reported. A third source told CNN that police officers in the building are wearing gas masks and full chemical protective gear.<\/p>\n
A biochemical threat response team was called and dispatched to the Pentagon following an incident involving \u201chazardous substances\u201d.<\/p>\n
Around 7:00 p.m. (Greek time), CNN reported that the alarm was a false alarm.<\/p>\n
During the investigation, measurements showed that there was no cause for concern.<\/p>\n
Watch a video of the incident:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n