All clear given after Cannon House Office Building evacuation on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON
— Staff members returned to the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Tuesday after authorities issued an all clear following an evacuation that lasted about an hour.

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The building was cleared after an alarm sounded, prompting hundreds of congressional staffers to exit. Video from the scene showed employees leaving the building in an orderly fashion as the evacuation unfolded.

Members of the House were not in Washington at the time because Congress is in its August recess.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Capitol police had not said what prompted the evacuation.

Local 10 reporter Ross Ketschke, who was inside the building at the time, said a loud alarm sounded around 3 p.m., followed by a recorded announcement directing occupants to evacuate.

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He said Capitol police later emailed staff, instructing them to remain calm, exit safely and close but not lock doors behind them.

Staffers were allowed back inside shortly before 4 p.m.

Ketschke said House members were not in Washington because Congress is on its summer recess, though hundreds of congressional staff members remained at work in the Capitol complex.

Authorities had not issued an all-clear or identified what triggered the evacuation as of Tuesday afternoon.

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