Fire/EMS units responded around 3 pm today to the report of smoke inside the US Capitol. Firefighters found an overheated electric motor producing smoke, which spread to the ventilation system.

An evacuation was ordered while firefighters dealt with smoke from an overheated electric motor on the fourth floor House of Representatives' side of the complex. The motor failed in room H-419 in a fan that is associated with the ventilation system of the building.

After the overheated motor was disconnected, firefighters then vented the smoke and made it safe for the occupants to return.