Oklahoma Capitol evacuated after fire alarm triggered

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Police briefly evacuated Oklahoma’s state Capitol building because of a fire alarm.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesman Capt. Paul Timmons says authorities believe the Tuesday morning alarm was triggered as a result of construction in the building. Workers and visitors were told to stay out of the building for around a half-hour.

Uniformed troopers walked through the halls and notified workers and visitors that the alarm was not a drill. Dozens of employees gathered outside the building and on the Capitol lawn.

House and Senate staff offices are being renovated on the first and third floors as part of a $120 million upgrade to the nearly 100-year-old building.