Inauguration rehearsal is evacuated due to ‘external security threat’  

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A rehearsal for the inauguration had to be called off and everyone in attendance evacuated on Monday morning due to an ‘external security threat’ that turned out to be a fire started by a homeless woman under a nearby bridge. 

Military personnel and staffers ran from bleachers that were set up ahead of Wednesday’s event while an evacuation warning played in the background shortly after an ‘explosion’ was heard at around 10.30am. 

As they panicked and ran for cover, plumes of smoke rose above the Capitol Building, where thousands of armed protesters staged an attempted coup on January 6. 

Journalists at the scene reported being told of an ‘external security threat’ and people working in the Capitol Complex were told to stay away from windows and doors. 

Less than an hour later, the fire department revealed that the raucous had been caused by a homeless woman who unwittingly caused an explosion by using propane gas in her tent. 

It caused a huge fire beneath a freeway on H Street South East, which is a stone’s throw from the Capitol, and was the source of the black smoke that had terrified people on the hill. 

The scare comes amid growing fears of an insider attack on the Biden inauguration while the nation still reels from the Capitol Building riot on January 6. 

Pentagon officials are concerned that an insider attack may be in the works,. All 25,000 of the National Guardsmen who will be there to protect the event are being vetted by the FBI.  

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The evacuation was first reported shortly after 10.40am. 

‘Overhead announcement to those of us in Inauguration rehearsals just now at the Capitol saying there’s an external security threat, no entry or exit, stay away from exterior windows & doors, if outside to seek cover,’ one journalist at the scene tweeted. 

The fire department tweeted less than an hour later: ‘#DCsBravest responded to an outside fire in the 100 block of H St SE that has been extinguished. 

‘There were no injuries. This accounts for smoke that many have seen.

‘Update outside fire 100 block of H St SE. Fire involved a homeless tent beneath freeway. #DCsBravest quickly extinguished fire. 

‘Occupant indicated she was using propane, which may explain report of “explosion “. 1 individual with non life threatening injury.’ 

They did not specify what she was using the propane for. The woman did not want to be taken to the hospital. 

Capitol police said in a statement that the incident had been ‘contained’ by that the area was still on lockdown.

‘The Capitol Complex is currently in lockdown. All personnel are advised to stay indoors and away from windows and doors.’ 

The dress rehearsal had not yet resumed by 11.30am. 

The security for Wednesday’s event will be on a larger scale than any other in recent history. 

Some 25,000 armed National Guardsmen will be in Washington DC for it. Many are already there and have been since the immediate aftermath of the January 6 MAGA mob riot. 

But defense officials say they are now fearful of an insider attack that could threaten the event. All of the troops who will be in Washington to protect the event have to be vetted first by the FBI. 

One Army reservist with ‘secret’ security clearance has already been arrested for his alleged part in the Capitol siege earlier this month.

Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, 30, of New Jersey was described in court papers as an ‘avowed white supremacist and Nazi sympathizer’ who allegedly ‘encouraged’ other violent rioters before being charged Friday. 

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The Associated Press on Sunday that officials are conscious of the potential inauguration threat, and warned commanders to be on the lookout for any problems within their ranks as the inauguration approaches.

So far, however, he and other leaders say they have seen no evidence of any threats, and officials said the vetting hadn’t flagged any issues.

‘We´re continually going through the process, and taking second, third looks at every one of the individuals assigned to this operation,’ McCarthy said in an interview after he and other military leaders went through an exhaustive, three-hour security drill in preparation for Wednesday´s inauguration.

He said Guard members are also getting training on how to identify potential insider threats.

Hale-Cusanelli, the arrested army reservist with ‘secret’ security clearance, is alleged to have told other rioters to ‘advance’.

He now faces charges including knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, The New York Post reports.