Pentagon on partial lockdown due to hazardous material incident
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
According to information obtained by Fox News Digital, some areas in the Pentagon were quarantined on Thursday morning due to an “air quality incident”.
An alert shared with Fox News Digital was sent to employees in multiple hallways of the building with a “serious” note directing them to shelter in place. All other staff were told to avoid the area.
“The Pentagon has advanced systems in place to ensure the security of the building and its occupants,” chief spokesman Sean Parnell told Fox News Digital. “These systems have detected an air quality issue that requires precautionary measures until we determine its significance. The department is implementing standard protection protocols for the affected area, including a shelter-in-place order. Response teams are onsite and ready to support residents.”
The Pentagon is seen from an airplane in Washington on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)
A hazmat team is cleaning various areas of the Pentagon’s A ring (the most central location in the building), according to a Pentagon official.
Approximately 23,000 to 27,000 people work at the Pentagon on any given day.
Secretary Pete Hegeth’s office and chief of staff Gen. Dan Caine’s office are not located in the corridors under lockdown.
Systems detected a problem with air quality in that part of the building and a device detected a biohazard odor, a Pentagon source told Fox News. As of this writing, nothing has been found.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
The Arlington, Virginia, fire department confirmed at
Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report.
