A fire broke out at the United States Department of Commerce's Herbert C. Hoover Building Thursday night, on a floor undergoing asbestos removal.
According to D.C. fire officials, the fire started in an unoccupied room on the third floor of the Commerce Building, located at 1401 Constitution Ave NW.
Firefighters successfully put out the fire, but were unable to ventilate the floor as a result of asbestos particles in the air. D.C. Fire says all firefighters who entered the third floor had to go through full hazmat decontamination.
Because of the fire, the Hoover Building will be closed Friday. Department of Commerce employees working there are authorized to take administrative leave and are encouraged to telework. Emergency-designated employees are to report for work.
