Pentagon back to 'normal operations' after hazmat incident
June 11 (UPI) -- The Pentagon lockdown was lifted Thursday afternoon after an air quality issue related to a hazardous materials incident caused multiple floors to be locked down.
"Earlier this morning, Pentagon occupants were notified of a potential air quality issue, prompting immediate precautionary safety measures and evaluation," Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnellsaid in a statement. "Subsequent testing confirmed no hazard exists, and normal operations have resumed."
"We express our sincere appreciation to the first responders for their swift actions to ensure the safety of all personnel," Parnell said.
Some areas of the Pentagon were evacuated after its systems detected an air quality issue.
Lockdowns happened on floors two through five in corridors four through seven.
"The Pentagon has sophisticated systems to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants," Parnell said Thursday morning.
"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."
The Pentagon Force Protection Agency had a hazardous materials response team on the scene along with the Arlington County Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Team, department spokesperson Capt. Jamie Jill said.
More than 25,000 people work inside the Pentagon. Its floor space is more than 6 million square feet and it covers 583 acres. Its corridors stretch more than 17 miles.
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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 9:43 AM.