U.S. Pentagon spokesperson Parnell stated on the 11th that the partial closure of some Pentagon areas due to a “hazardous material incident” turned out to be a false alarm.
In a statement, he said: “Earlier today, Pentagon personnel were notified of a possible air quality issue and, as a precaution, safety measures were taken and an assessment was conducted. Subsequent tests confirmed there was no danger, and all operations have now returned to normal.”
Meanwhile, CNN quoted informed sources as saying that due to a false alarm from a hazardous material sensor system, parts of the Pentagon were sealed off and personnel were evacuated that day.
The report, citing sources familiar with the matter, said that sensors at the Pentagon detected a “possible presence of anthrax,” triggering an alarm that led to closures and evacuations. However, the system was malfunctioning at the time, making it a false alarm.
According to sources, some floors and hallways in the Pentagon were therefore sealed off and people were evacuated.
Earlier in the day, the Arlington County Fire Department in Virginia, where the Pentagon is located, indicated that its hazmat response team was “handling a hazardous material incident” at the Pentagon.