Participants in a rehearsal for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden were evacuated from the west front of the Capitol by order of security officials following a fire at a homeless camp in the area, the officials.
Security is reduced and the atmosphere is tense in Washington, DC, two days before the inauguration and nearly two weeks after the January 6 siege of the Capitol.
DC firefighters responded to a fire Monday morning at block 100 of H SE Street. The fire was extinguished and no one was injured.
U.S. Capitol police closed the entire Capitol complex and issued a security warning.
Photos: Opening rehearsal closed due to external threat
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“All buildings in the Capitol complex: threat to external security, no entry or exit is allowed, stay away from exterior doors and windows. If outside, look for coverage. USCP, “the message read.
Another Capitol police message said there was an “external security threat located under the I-295 bridge at First and F Streets SE.”
Those who had gathered for a walk, including a military band, were directed to head inland and moved to a safe place within the Capitol complex.
“This is not a sham,” security officials involved in the rehearsal said.
Four police officials told The Associated Press that there was a fire several blocks away and that the trial was evacuated with great caution. DC Fire and EMS later said the fire had been extinguished and no one was injured.
The Capitol complex and surrounding areas have been closed since the January 6 riot.
Stay tuned to NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.