Executive Office Building Fire Reported
Updated: A fire at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., was quickly brought under control, fire department officials told CNN.
TV reports showed smoke billowing from the building. A fire department spokesman said the fire was confined to the third floor and the entire building was been evacuated. There were no reports of injuries.
Initial reports indicate the fire started in an electrical closet next to a ceremonial office for the vice president that is rarely used.
The building houses staff offices for the National Security Council and the Office of Management and Budget, as well as aides to the vice president, the Washington Post reports. It also is home to a law library. The Post has live video.
The New York Times blog The Lede, says the fire is bound to fuel speculation by conspiracy theorists. “Coming the same week that questions of official destruction of damning evidence is in the news, you can bet the conspiracy theories are going to fly over this incident,” the blog says.
Updated at 8:56 a.m. CST to include information from a fire department spokesman, at 9:12 a.m. to include reports from new sources, at 9:17 a.m. to make clear the fire is under control, and at 9:20 a.m. to include information from The Lede.
