Eisenhower Executive Office Building catches fire.

[The Minx]

Link.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Firefighters battled thick smoke and flames Wednesday inside the historic Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next door to the White House, which houses the vice president's ceremonial offices.

They used axes to break windows on the third floor of the ornate building shortly after the blaze broke out after 9 a.m.

Within an hour, smoke had stopped pouring from the building.

Vice President Dick Cheney's working offices are in the West Wing of the White House, and he was not in the EEOB at the time of the fire.

Smoke could be seen from the White House driveway.

The fire started in an electrical closet or telephone bank area on the third floor, D.C. Fire Department spokesman Alan Etter said.

The building was evacuated, and there was a lot of smoke associated with the fire, but there were no reports of injuries, he said.
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The building, built between 1871 and 1888, is also called the Old Executive Office Building. It was originally built for the State, War and Navy Departments and is an example of the French Second Empire style of architecture, according to a government Web site.

The building is the site of a number of events, including ceremonial signings, news conferences and photo opportunities.

[LadyTevar]

I'm glad no one was injured, and hopefully it won't take long to get the smoke damage and smell out of the building.