Subj:	Pentagon Fire Forces Partial Evacuation
Date:	8/2/01 3:54:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    hblondel@tampabay.rr.com To:    hblondel@tampabay.rr.com (Newmill)

Aug 2, 2001

Pentagon Fire Forces Partial Evacuation

WASHINGTON (AP) - A fire at the Pentagon sent heavy smoke
billowing at midday Thursday and prompted the evacuation of
several thousand workers.

No one was hurt in the fire, which was extinguished by the
Arlington, Va., fire department, said battalion chief John
J. White. The Pentagon is in Arlington, just across the
Potomac River from Washington.

The fire apparently began in cables in an air duct and sent
smoke through a portion of the southern section of the
building, White said.

About half the workers were asked to leave. On a normal
workday, some 23,000 workers occupy the Pentagon but the
number present Thursday was thought to be fewer given summer
vacations.