Blaze Causes Heavy Damage At Treasury

Treasury Department workers were shifted elsewhere or furloughed Thursday as investigators sought to determine the cause of a fire that heavily damaged the interior of the historic building.

Treasury Undersecretary John Hawke told reporters late Thursday afternoon that essential operations “proceeded as usual” in other government sites throughout the city.

Hawke said the cause of the two-alarm fire Wednesday in the 19thcentury structure next door to the White House was unknown.

As Hawke held a news conference across 15th Street from the Treasury Building, officials reopened the major thoroughfare to rush-hour traffic. The fire and cleanup had caused havoc for commuters.

Hawke also said the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found no evidence of any airborne asbestos. The threat of asbestos particles in the smoke Wednesday night caused officials to keep the public several blocks away.