On Thursday, the Pentagon building witnessed a state of security alert after several floors and corridors were closed and parts of the building were evacuated, following the detection of an air quality problem that required taking precautionary measures.
CNN quoted three informed sources as saying that several floors and corridors inside the Pentagon were closed, while other floors were evacuated as a precaution.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that the systems inside the building detected an air quality problem that required taking precautionary measures until the seriousness of the situation was determined.
Parnell said that the ministry implemented the usual protection protocols, including issuing an order to remain in place for those in the affected area, noting that response teams were present and ready to support workers inside the building.
According to informed sources, the second to fifth floors and the fourth to seventh corridors inside the Pentagon complex were closed, while police officers were seen wearing gas masks and full equipment to protect against chemical substances.
The Pentagon’s Force Protection Agency’s Hazardous Materials Response Team handled the incident, with assistance from the Arlington County Fire Department.
The Arlington Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department also announced via social media that its hazmat team was working inside the Pentagon on a hazmat-related incident.
However, two informed sources later confirmed to CNN that the closure and evacuation measures were the result of a false alarm.
