White House Compound Fire (USA)
On December 19, 2007, offices in the historic Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House were damaged by smoke and water from fire hoses. More than 1,000 people who work in the building were evacuated. The fire broke out on the second floor of the building around about 9:15 a.m. and was under control within a half hour. The blaze was located in U.S. Vice President’s suite of ceremonial offices. The building was evacuated as a precaution. Firefighters poured water on the blaze, broke windows and moved furniture onto a balcony.
Originally built for the State, War and Navy Departments between 1871 and 1888, the granite, slate and cast iron exterior building was renamed in honor of President Dwight Eisenhower. The smoke appeared to come from an electrical closet on the building’s second floor.
