US Pentagon. Photo: Shutterstock Emergency crews responded to a hazardous materials incident at the US Pentagon in Washington on Thursday, June 11, 2026, prompting a multiagency response involving Arlington Fire and EMS and federal authorities.
In a statement posted on social media, Arlington Fire and EMS said its units, including the department's Hazardous Materials Team, were operating at the Pentagon in support of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency's Hazmat Team.
Officials have not released details about the nature of the incident, including what substance may be involved or whether any injuries have been reported.
A short time later, Arlington Fire and EMS emphasized that the Pentagon Force Protection Agency is leading the response and investigation.
Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs, Chief Pentagon Spokesman & Senior Advisor to SECWAR, Sean Pernell, issued the following statement on the event:
"The Pentagon has sophisticated systems to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants. Those systems have detected an air quality issue necessitating precautionary measures until we determine its significance."
Pernell added that the Department was "executing standard protection protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area", with response teams dispatched and prepared to support the people inside the building.
The Pentagon, located in Arlington, Virginia, serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense and is one of the most heavily secured government facilities in the country.