Pentagon on lockdown due to 'hazardous materials incident'

Pentagon on lockdown due to ‘hazardous materials incident’

June 11, 2026/
Spread the love

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square

The Pentagon is on lockdown, with hazmat on site after air-quality issues were detected, possibly hazardous material found inside the heart of America’s defense industry.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, released a statement regarding the incident.

“The Pentagon has sophisticated systems to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants. Those systems have detected an air quality issue necessitating precautionary measures until we determine its significance,” the statement read. “The Department is executing standard protection protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area. Response teams are in place and ready to support building occupants.”

Arlington Fire and EMS confirmed the department’s Hazardous Materials Team was on scene in support of a “hazardous materials incident.”

The Pentagon, located in Arlington, Va., comprises over 6.5 million square feet and over 17 miles of corridors, making it the largest low-rise office building in the world, with over 20,000 people working there.

Part of the Pentagon was struck during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, killing 189 people.

This is a developing story.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Vance defends DOJ's nearly $1.8B 'weaponization' fund

Vance defends DOJ’s nearly $1.8B ‘weaponization’ fund

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday defended a nearly $1.8 billion taxpayer fund through the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at supporting victims of "lawfare...
Vance highlights 'progress' in Iran negotiations, floats additional fighting

Vance highlights ‘progress’ in Iran negotiations, floats additional fighting

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. and Iran have "made a lot of progress" on negotiations to end the conflict between the two nations....
Chicago committee approves $5M for public school project

Chicago committee approves $5M for public school project

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago aldermen are planning to spend more tax increment financing dollars on Chicago Public Schools, even though...
Group files federal lawsuit against Illinois' gun owner ID law

Group files federal lawsuit against Illinois’ gun owner ID law

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new challenge to Illinois’ requirement for gun owners to have a state police-issued license has been...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Legislative Committee for May 5, 2026

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 The Will County Board Legislative Committee navigated a heavy policy agenda during its May 5, 2026, meeting, balancing extensive state...
Op-Ed: Illinois is closed for business

Op-Ed: Illinois is closed for business

By Alan Jernigan and Joshua MeyerThe Center Square The policies coming from Springfield send a clear message: Illinois is closed for business. While other states enact pro-growth policies and create...
Illinois Quick Hits: Proposal would allow two-year, online car registration

Illinois Quick Hits: Proposal would allow two-year, online car registration

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie has filed legislation she says will make the vehicle registration process...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for May 14, 2026

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | May 14, 2026 The Will County Board Executive Committee held a four-hour-plus meeting on May 14, 2026, dominated by a deeply contested vote...
SCOTUS turns away Palatine HS teacher fired over anti-BLM Facebook posts

SCOTUS turns away Palatine HS teacher fired over anti-BLM Facebook posts

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineeThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will not review lower courts' decisions finding a suburban school district did not violate the constitutional rights of...
Consumer advocates say Nicor’s rate hike is unreasonable, profit-driven

Consumer advocates say Nicor’s rate hike is unreasonable, profit-driven

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Consumer advocates have signaled heavy opposition to a proposed $221 million rate hike by Nicor Gas, arguing...
Johnson’s office counters Pritzker claim Chicago mayor 'has no plan' to keep Bears

Johnson’s office counters Pritzker claim Chicago mayor ‘has no plan’ to keep Bears

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has no plan to keep the Bears in the...
Pritzker: Trump war to blame for high gas prices

Pritzker: Trump war to blame for high gas prices

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says everyone is paying more for gas because of President Donald Trump’s military action...
Proposed law would require women’s restroom on construction sites

Proposed law would require women’s restroom on construction sites

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Construction companies across Illinois may be required by law to provide female employees with separate bathroom facilities...
Illinois Quick Hits: Independent candidate filing period opens

Illinois Quick Hits: Independent candidate filing period opens

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Today is the first day of the filing period for independents and new party candidates seeking state...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Will County Executive Committee Splits on Whether to Ask Voters About Single-Member Districts

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | May 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, May 14, 2026, took the temperature of members on a...