Pentagon Partially Evacuated After False Hazardous Materials Alarm

The Pentagon was partially evacuated and locked down on Thursday following a false alarm triggered by malfunctioning hazardous materials sensors. The alert initially suggested the possible presence of anthrax but was later determined to be an error in the detection system. As of 12:30 PM, multiple floors and corridors remained inaccessible as precautionary measures were enforced.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that a shelter-in-place order had been issued for affected areas within the building. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency's hazardous materials response team, alongside the Arlington County Fire Department, responded to the incident. Security personnel donned gas masks and full chemical protective gear as part of their safety protocols.

The lockdown encompassed floors two through five in corridors four through seven of the sprawling complex. These areas house significant offices such as the Navy’s main public affairs office and the Secretary of the Army's office. Internal guidance from the Pentagon’s security team indicated that further testing would be required to ensure the building was safe for reoccupation, a process expected to take up to two hours.

The incident highlights the stringent safety measures in place at the Pentagon to protect personnel from potential threats, even when alarms may occasionally trigger false positives due to system malfunctions.