A small but disruptive Capitol Hill Fire inside the underground trolley system connecting the Rayburn House Office Building to the U.S. Capitol triggered a swift response from DC Fire and EMS on Monday. The incident occurred just before the scheduled 5 PM House vote series, prompting an immediate shutdown of the Rayburn subway tunnel.
Fire crews rushed to the scene after reports of smoke rising from the underground line. The brief evacuation halted movement in the area as emergency teams assessed the situation.
🚨BREAKING: Firefighters arriving to the Capitol responding to an incident in the Rayburn House Office building subway to the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/2DT5VBp4Lm
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Loud Noise Reported Before Subway Car Stopped
According to witnesses, a loud noise was heard moments before one of the Capitol subway cars came to an abrupt stop. The car appeared to be burning near an electrical line, raising concerns about a possible electrical malfunction.
U.S. Capitol Police quickly secured the area. One officer told POLITICO, “There’s a fire down there, we can’t have you breathing smoke.”
Capitol Plaza Cleared for Fire Response
Fire crews operated in the Capitol Plaza area, which was temporarily cleared to allow first responders full access to the underground section. The blaze was contained soon after their arrival.
Authorities are still evaluating the exact cause of the fire, but initial assessments suggest the situation is under control and poses no ongoing threat.
