Senate Office Buildings Evacuated Due to Smoke

ABC News’ Vic Ratner, Pierre Thomas, Z. Byron Wolf and Jason Ryan report: Two Senate office buildings at the U.S. Capitol were briefly evacuated Wednesday.

The evacuations came after the U.S. Capitol Police received reports of smoke inside the Dirksen Senate office building, which is connected to the Hart building. 

Staff and senators working inside the two Senate office buildings were evacuated for a short time.

During the evacuation, the Capitol building itself continued to operate as usual , and senators continued to vote on a bill.

The smoke was thought to be caused by a small electrical fire, according to law enforcement sources.
Another law enforcement source said the smoke came from a motor in the attic of the Dirksen building.

The U.S. Capitol Police began letting people back inside the building after a short time, announcing the "all clear" over loud speakers.