Pentagon on lockdown due to ‘hazardous materials incident’

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square

The Pentagon is on lockdown, with hazmat on site after air-quality issues were detected, possibly hazardous material found inside the heart of America’s defense industry.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, released a statement regarding the incident.

“The Pentagon has sophisticated systems to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants. Those systems have detected an air quality issue necessitating precautionary measures until we determine its significance,” the statement read. “The Department is executing standard protection protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area. Response teams are in place and ready to support building occupants.”

Arlington Fire and EMS confirmed the department’s Hazardous Materials Team was on scene in support of a “hazardous materials incident.”

The Pentagon, located in Arlington, Va., comprises over 6.5 million square feet and over 17 miles of corridors, making it the largest low-rise office building in the world, with over 20,000 people working there.

Part of the Pentagon was struck during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, killing 189 people.

This is a developing story.