BREAKING -- HOUSE OFFICES AFLAME

From: US Capitol Police
Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 12:37 PM
To: All House Staff
Subject: Evacuate the Longworth Building - Audible Fire Alarm
Importance: High

Fire alarms echoing throughout Longworth, members trampling staffers on their ways to the exits, and terrifying chaos marked the end of the 109th Congress, more or less just as we expected.

Full email after the jump.

From: US Capitol Police

Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 12:37 PM

To: All House Staff

Subject: Evacuate the Longworth Building - Audible Fire Alarm

Importance: High

This is a message from the U.S. Capitol Police

1. An audible fire alarm has sounded in the Longworth building, reason unknown.

2. Evacuate the Longworth building.

3. If nearby, grab Go-Kits on the way out.

4. Remain calm and move in a safe manner to the exits.

5. Close doors behind you, but do not lock. Avoid using elevators.

6. Proceed immediately to your designated assembly area.

7. Check-in with your Office Emergency Coordinator at the assembly area.

8. If you are not in the Longworth Building, please stay clear of the building.

9. Once the cause of the alarm is determined, follow-up information will be provided.

Please do not respond to this e-mail. This mailbox is unattended. End of

message.

Sent on: 12/08/2006 12:36:35

Update: And then it ended.

From: US Capitol Police

Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 12:49 PM

To: All House Staff

Subject: Longworth Evacuation Concluded

This is a message from the U.S. Capitol Police

1. The evacuation of the Longworth Building has concluded.

2. It is now safe to re-enter the building.

Please do not respond to this e-mail. This mailbox is unattended. End of

message.