The White House was placed on lockdown Saturday following a fire at a nearby food vendor cart, according to White House pool reports. The White House lockdown has been lifted, NBC Washington reported.
The lockdown began shortly after 10 a.m. ET. President Obama and the first family were scheduled to depart the White House at 10:30 a.m. for a trip to Selma, Alabama, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” and the fight for full voting rights for African-Americans. The Obamas traveled by motorcade to Andrews Air Force Base shortly after 11 a.m., according to a pool report.
The food cart fire has been contained, and surrounding streets have been reopened, according to a White House pool report.
Twitter user Will Sweet posted a photo of smoke billowing from the vendor near the White House. A Secret Service dog also alerted agents to a vehicle near the White House, according to a pool report.
So this fire just broke out right outside the White House…. pic.twitter.com/jxMdPIgmRI
— Will Sweet (@will_sweet1) March 7, 2015This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
David Taintor