Fire in Rayburn House Office Building October 14, 2004

WASHINGTON -- On October 13, 2004, at approximately 10:47 p.m., United States Capitol Police responded to a small fire on the basement level of the Rayburn House office building. A full evacuation of the building was then ordered. There were reports of heavy smoke throughout the building and garage area. Approximately 50-60 persons were evacuated. D.C. Fire responded and shortly thereafter extinguished the fire. Most of the damage caused by the fire was confined to storage rooms on the basement level. Four of the storage rooms sustained heavy damage. No damage has been reported to any congressional office space. The building was deemed safe for re-entry by an Architect of the Capitol fire official at approximately 12:15 a.m. Two officers were treated and released from George Washington hospital due to smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is still unknown and is under investigation.