Officials say there was no threat to the public and the fire, about 1.6km away from the Capitol, was extinguished.
The U.S. Capitol base in Washington, DC, was temporarily locked Monday during a premonition for the inauguration of President Joe Biden after a fire in a homeless camp about 1.6 kilometers (one mile) away sent a lump of smoke into the air and caused security concerns.
But law enforcement officials said there was no threat to the public and the fire was not believed to be a threat to the establishment.
Some participants were evacuated and the lockout was ordered by the acting head of the Capitol Police in plenty of warnings, officials said.
Biden did not participate in the rehearsal.
People evacuate from the western front of the U.S. Capitol during a premonition of the 59th President of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC [Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo]
A riot on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters has raised concerns and many security concerns about Wednesday’s founding.
The U.S. Secret Service increased security in and around the Capitol a week early in preparation, and the city center is heavily blocked by blocked streets, high fences and tens of thousands of National Guard and other law enforcement officers stationed around the area.
Participants were taken from the western front of the Capitol. Those who had gathered for a walk through, including an armed band, were directed to enter and move toward a safe place inside the Capitol building.
People involved in the rehearsal said security officials were shouting: “This is not a drill.”
Public safety and law enforcement responded to a small fire in the 1st and F SE street area of Washington, DC which was extinguished. Out of sufficient warning the U.S. Capitol facility was temporarily closing. There is no danger to the public. pic.twitter.com/kQfAI4NxNK
– US Secret Service (@SecretService) January 18, 2021
The U.S. Secret Service, which is in charge of security for the inauguration, said on Twitter: “Out of sufficient warning the U.S. Capitol facility was temporarily closing. There is no threat to the public. “
The Florida fire department tweeted that firefighters started a fire near the Capitol center.
“No one was injured,” the department said. “This is an account of fog seen by many.”