Key Facts
- Event
- Evacuation of Cannon House Office Building
- Date
- Tuesday, August 4, 2026
- Duration
- About one hour
- Alarm time
- Around 3 p.m.
- All clear time
- Shortly before 4 p.m.
- Cause
- Not identified as of Tuesday afternoon
Background
WASHINGTON — Staff members returned to the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Tuesday after authorities issued an all clear following an evacuation that lasted about an hour.
The building was cleared after an alarm sounded, prompting hundreds of congressional staffers to exit. Video from the scene showed employees leaving the building in an orderly fashion as the evacuation unfolded.
Members of the House were not in Washington at the time because Congress is in its August recess.
Current Situation
As of Tuesday afternoon, Capitol police had not said what prompted the evacuation.
Local 10 reporter Ross Ketschke, who was inside the building at the time, said a loud alarm sounded around 3 p.m., followed by a recorded announcement directing occupants to evacuate.
He said Capitol police later emailed staff, instructing them to remain calm, exit safely and close but not lock doors behind them. Staffers were allowed back inside shortly before 4 p.m.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Around 3 p.m. | Loud alarm sounded |
| After alarm | Recorded announcement to evacuate |
| Shortly before 4 p.m. | Staff allowed back inside |
Impacts
The evacuation affected hundreds of congressional staff members who remained at work in the Capitol complex during the recess.
Ketschke said House members were not in Washington because Congress is on its summer recess, though hundreds of congressional staff members remained at work.
The disruption lasted about an hour, with staff allowed back inside shortly before 4 p.m. The cause of the alarm remains unclear, and authorities had not issued an all-clear or identified what triggered the evacuation as of Tuesday afternoon.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If Capitol police identify the cause of the alarm in the coming days, they may release a statement clarifying the incident, which could reassure staff and the public.
Should the cause be linked to a technical fault or a false alarm, similar evacuations may occur in the future, prompting reviews of building safety protocols.
If the cause is determined to be a security threat, additional security measures could be implemented, though no such determination has been made public.
Source: local10.com
