Panic, lockdown at Pentagon caused by false | Political News

The Pentagon went into lockdown for hours on Thursday amid what was initially described as an air high quality issue.

The complete space surrounding the enduring five-sided home of the Department of War was positioned under a shelter-in-place order as the scenario was investigated.

It was later revealed that a false anthrax risk was what prompted the lockdown. The Arlington County Fire Department formally described the scenario as a “hazardous materials incident.”

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote in a assertion on social media, “Earlier this morning, Pentagon occupants were notified of a potential air quality issue, prompting immediate precautionary safety measures and evaluation.”

He went on to say that subsequent testing confirmed that there have been no hazards current, and the lockdown and shelter-in-place orders had been lifted. Normal operations resumed in the building.

“We express our sincere appreciation to the first responders for their swift actions to ensure the safety of all personnel,” Parnell said.

Parnell added that hazmat models from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and the Arlington County and Alexandria fire departments responded to the scene after the Pentagon’s monitoring systems “detected an air quality issue necessitating precautionary measures.”

The Washington Post reported that the scene inside the building was chaotic and complicated, with some of the corridors locked down, while others remained open.

Personnel still got here into the building amid the shelter-in-place order, which was blaring over an intercom, a conflict official who works in the building told the publication.

Cops had been seen strolling the halls sporting fuel masks — a stark distinction to the other staff in the building, who stood around and gawked — the DOW official said.

Eventually, the building was cleared and it was decided that there was no anthrax current, nor any other hazardous supplies.

Parnell emphasised that the Pentagon “has sophisticated systems to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants.”

He added that “response teams are in place and ready to support building occupants” at any time.

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency said later on Thursday, after the Pentagon itself had been cleared, that the shelter-in-place was still in impact and would stay that method until the affected areas might be swept and the “all clear” was given.