Senate offices evacuated after false alarm

WASHINGTON -- At least eight U.S. senators were among 200 people evacuated last night from the Russell Senate Office Building after sensors in the building signaled the possible presence of a nerve agent, according to U.S. Capitol Police.

An alarm in the building attic signaled the presence of a dangerous substance at 6:30 p.m., prompting the evacuation.

A subsequent test was negative, but those evacuated were held in an adjacent garage for three hours, until additional testing confirmed that the scare was a false alarm.

As a precaution, decontamination tents were set up outside, but Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said police had been optimistic since no one showed signs of sickness or other symptoms, such as a runny nose, that would indicate exposure to a nerve agent.