The Pentagon has locked down and evacuated multiple floors due to what officials describe as a hazardous materials incident, prompting emergency response protocols.
Systems within the military complex detected an air quality issue, leading to a shelter-in-place order for floors two through five in corridors four through seven. Police officers arrived on scene wearing gas masks and chemical protective gear as the Arlington County Fire Department and Pentagon Force Protection Agency worked to assess the situation.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that emergency teams are implementing standard protection protocols. “The Department is executing standard protection protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area,” he stated.
The incident has caused significant disruption at the Pentagon, with response teams from multiple agencies on site conducting tests that could take hours.
