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NOW: Hazmat, medical crews dispatched as Pentagon goes on lockdown

By Dan Egitto
Aerial view of the Pentagon (staff photo)

Medical crews and hazmat teams were dispatched to the Pentagon this morning for a reported hazardous materials incident.

Initial reports referenced “a positive anthrax system alert” around 9 a.m., along with “a suspicious odor” and at least one individual with chest pain in the inner courtyard. They also referred to a need for further lab testing.

About 2,500 personnel were sheltering in place around 10:30 a.m., but the all clear was given later in the day.

“Earlier this morning, Pentagon occupants were notified of a potential air quality issue, prompting immediate precautionary safety measures and evaluation,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell posted around 1:30 p.m. “Subsequent testing confirmed no hazard exists, and normal operations have resumed.”

A large emergency response, including hazmat teams from both the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and the Arlington County Fire Department, was dispatched to the incident.

CNN reported shortly after noon that the incident was a “false alarm.”

Parnell said earlier in the day:

The Pentagon has sophisticated systems to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants. Those systems have detected an air quality issue necessitating precautionary measures until we determine its significance.

The Department is executing standard protection protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area. Response teams are in place and ready to support building occupants.

About the Author

  • Dan Egitto is an editor and reporter at ARLnow. Originally from Central Florida, he graduated from Duke University and previously reported at the Palatka Daily News in Florida and the Vallejo Times-Herald in California. Dan joined ARLnow in January 2024.