The U.S. Capitol was once again placed on lockdown Monday morning as a precaution because of a fire near the building.
Staff inside the building received a text alert from Capitol police at 10:20 a.m. EST warning, "All buildings within the Capitol Complex: External security threat, no entry or exit is permitted, stay away from exterior windows, doors. If outside, seem (sic) cover. USCP," according to CBS News.
An announcement was also made over the intercom, telling staff of the lockdown.
Participants in an inauguration rehearsal outside the building were evacuated as a precaution as officials rushed to find the cause of the smoke. Some said security officials were yelling "this is not a drill" as they were told to head inside where they were directed to a secure location.
Within an hour, officials confirmed that the cause of the smoke was a fire several blocks away under a freeway bridge, reportedly the site of a homeless encampment, and lifted the lockdown.
BREAKING: Smoke rising behind Capitol building. Inauguration rehearsal appears to be evacuating. Emergency announcement playing at Capitol grounds. pic.twitter.com/86J9S8CsMY
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) January 18, 2021
Capitol police, the National Guard and several other law enforcement agencies are on high alert at the Capitol this week as President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration approaches.
Thousands of National Guard troops are currently stationed throughout the city as the FBI has warned that some supporters of President Donald Trump may plan a second attack on the Capitol.
