Pentagon on lockdown and staff evacuated over 'hazardous materials incident'

Pentagon on lockdown and staff evacuated over 'hazardous materials incident' Officers inside the Pentagon were seen covered in chemical protective gear with multiple floors forced into lockdown over a 'hazardous materials incident' Multiple floors of the Pentagon were plunged into lockdown this afternoon, with staff evacuated due to a "hazardous materials incident" that turned out to be a false alarm. Sources familiar with the matter said a number of corridors on floors two through five were sealed off while a hazardous materials response team investigated. Police in the building were also spotted wearing gas masks and were covered in chemical protective gear, a third source told CNN. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that systems within the building, home to the US military headquarters in Arlington County, Virginia, "detected an air quality issue" necessitating an evacuation "until we determine its significance." "The Department is executing standard protection protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area," Parnell added. "Response teams are in place and ready to support building occupants." A message sent by the Pentagon's security team said at the time that an "air quality issue" had been detected and that additional testing is needed. "This additional testing could take one to two hours. Response teams are in place and ready to support building occupants if necessary," the message said. "You may observe response personnel from multiple agencies and precautionary measures taking place in the center courtyard. Please do not interpret these activities." Department spokesperson Captain Jamie Jill said a hazardous materials response team responded to the incident along with the Arlington County Fire Department. Sources later said the evacuation was due to a false alarm.