Emergency responders rushed to the Ford House Office Building early Sunday afternoon after receiving a report of a fire in the building.
Responders received a report of a fire in the building at 441 D Street, Southwest at around noon. The building was evacuated, though it is not clear how many personnel were inside. No injuries were immediately reported and the extent of any damage done is not clear.
A Capitol Hill Police spokesperson tells News4 that the fire marshal is investigating the situation to determine what caused the building's fire alarm to go off.
The Ford House Office Building is the only House Office Building that is not connected underground to any of the other House Office Buildings or the U.S. Capitol itself. It is also the only House Office Building that does not contain any offices of members of Congress. The building primarily houses committee staff and other offices, including the Congressional Budget Office.
U.S. Capitol Police closed the area between 2nd and C Streets Northwest, 2nd and D Streets Southwest, 2nd and Virginia Avenue Southwest, and 3rd and D Streets Southwest, as well as the 2nd Street exit in the 3rd Street tunnel. Streets around the building were re-opened shortly after 3 p.m.
Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for more details on this developing story.
The scene outside the Ford House Office Building Sunday afternoon. (Seth Lemon)
Photo Credit: NBCWashington.com