WASHINGTON – The U.S. Capitol complex was briefly locked down and an inaugural rehearsal at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol was evacuated Monday after a fire in a homeless encampment, authorities said.
"Out of an abundance of caution the U.S. Capitol complex was temporarily shut down," the Secret Service said on Twitter. "There is no threat to the public."
The lockdown lasted about an hour. President-elect Joe Biden was not present.
The incident occurred as the nation's capital is on edge days before Biden's inauguration and two weeks after a violent riot at the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump who believe falsely that the election was rigged.
The rehearsal was taking place at the Capitol's West Front when Capitol Police began yelling to "get inside" and "this is not a drill." Scores of people began running up the steps, some struggling to ascend them, as an automated announcement told those fleeing of an "external threat."
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