Washington – A fire under a road on several Capitol Islands caused a brief blockade of the complex and the evacuation of a rehearsal for Wednesday’s inauguration, which reflected the increased state of alert in the country’s capital.
Capitol police warned those on the Capitol to stay inside due to an “external security threat” and to close access to and from the building. A rehearsal was evacuated to the Western Front of the Capitol, with members of the media returning to the nearby trailers.
Capitol police said a fire under a road on several islands south of the Capitol caused the closure.
“With great caution following an external security threat under the I-295 bridge at First and F Streets, SE, Acting Chief Pittman ordered the shutdown of the Capitol complex. There are currently no fires on campus. of the Capitol or within it, “Capitol police said. “Members and staff were advised to protect themselves at the site while the incident is being investigated.”
The U.S. Secret Service said the fire had been extinguished and “there is no threat to the public.”
The fright comes when thousands of troops are in Washington before the inauguration, blocking the streets around the Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden to take the oath of office.