Fire At Nearby Homeless Camp Leads To Temporary Capitol Lockdown

WASHINGTON, DC — A rehearsal for Wednesday’s inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris was forced to be suspended and the the U.S. Capitol was temporarily evacuated and locked down Monday after a fire at a nearby homeless camp raised security concerns, police said.

Capitol Police released a statement Monday morning alerting that the Capitol had been locked down “in an abundance of concern” following what they called an external security threat under the bridge at I-295 at F and 1st streets. Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman ordered the Capitol locked down.

Police said the fire at the homeless camp — which is located about a mile from the site of the Capitol and the inaugural rehearsal — was not considered to be a threat to the general public. District of Columbia firefighters arrived at the camp and extinguished the fire, which forced the evacuation of some participants in the rehearsal. Biden or Harris were not involved in the event, the Associated Press reported.

The Capitol area has become a fortress in the days leading up to Wednesday’s inauguration. Up to 25,000 armed National Guard troops have been deployed to Washington, the National Mall has been ordered closed and other extreme measures have been taken. Security measures have been ramped up since Jan. 6 when insurrectionists stormed the Capitol building as lawmakers were working to certify Election Day results.

Troops have come from all 50 states have been on alert in the area along with local law enforcement agencies as the FBI has warned of possible armed marches by supporters of President Donald Trump at all 50 U.S. Capitols.

One Capitol police officer died in the riots, one person was fatally shot and three others have died after medical emergencies. Another officer who was working for Capitol police the day of the chaotic riots has since died by suicide.

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this report.