Pentagon False Alarm

The Pentagon imposed precautionary shelter-in-place and partial lockdown measures Thursday after building systems detected a potential air quality problem in parts of the complex. Hazmat crews, Pentagon police and Arlington County firefighters responded, with affected areas including floors 2 through 5 in corridors 4 through 7, while some employees were told to remain in offices and others were evacuated or ordered to avoid the area. Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell said testing later confirmed that no hazard existed, and officials lifted the restrictions after determining the incident was a false alarm. Normal operations resumed after several hours, ending an emergency response initially described as a hazardous materials or air-quality incident.