Capitol Shut Down After Fire at Washington Homeless Encampment

A fire at a homeless encampment prompted a shutdown of the US Capitol on January 18, halting a rehearsal for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, according to officials and local media.

DC Fire and EMS said one person suffered a non-life-threatening injury and firefighters extinguished the blaze at the 100 block of H Street SE quickly. They said the occupant of a tent in which the blaze started said she was using propane, which may have explained reports of an explosion.

The Secret Service said the Capitol complex was temporarily shut down out of an abundance of caution, and there was no threat to the public. Credit: Anonymous via Storyful