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Washington: Two days ahead of US President Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony, the US Capitol was temporarily put on lockdown on Monday with no entry or exit allowed due to an ‘external security threat’.
Participants in a rehearsal for Biden’s inauguration ceremony were evacuated from the West Front of the US Capitol on orders of security officials after a fire in a homeless encampment, officials said.
Those who had gathered for a walk-through, including a military band, were directed to head indoors and moved in the directed of a secure location inside the US Capitol complex.
People involved in the rehearsal said security officials yelled “this is not a drill.”
Four law enforcement officials told The Associated Press there had been a blaze several blocks over and the rehearsal was evacuated in an abundance of caution.
The US Capitol complex and surrounding areas have been locked down after a riot there January 6.
(With inputs from AP)
