Due to a "hazardous materials incident," several floors and corridors of the Pentagon have been locked down, while others were evacuated. Three sources familiar with the situation and the local fire department told CNN, UNN reports.
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Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed on Thursday that systems inside the Pentagon "detected an air quality issue that requires precautionary measures until its significance is determined."
"The Department is following standard protection protocols, including a shelter-in-place order in the affected area," Parnell said. "Response teams are on-site and ready to provide support to those in the building."
According to Pentagon Force Protection Agency spokesperson Captain Jamie Gill, a hazardous materials incident response team is working with the assistance of the Arlington County Fire Department. A social media post from Arlington Fire and EMS stated that the Arlington County Fire Department's hazardous materials response team is operating at the Pentagon "during a hazardous materials incident."
A message sent out by Pentagon security cited the detection of an "air quality issue" and the need for additional testing.
"Additional analysis may take one to two hours. Response teams are on-site and ready to provide support to people in the building if needed. You may observe actions by personnel from various agencies and precautionary measures being taken in the center courtyard. Please do not interpret these actions as anything requiring intervention," the message read.
According to two sources, the second through fifth floors in corridors four through seven of the massive Pentagon complex were closed. A third source told CNN that police officers in the building are wearing gas masks and full chemical protection suits.