Mechanical Building Fire Sends Huge Plume Of Smoke Across Nation's Capital

WASHINGTON - Officials say a fire broke out at a building near the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, emitting a plume of black smoke and closing area streets.

WUSA9 Images: Fire at Natural History Museum

Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas says a building detached from the museum that contains the facility's cooling tower caught fire early Monday.

Spokesman Brian Ireley says it appears no smoke entered the main building where millions of artifacts and specimens are housed.

D.C. Deputy Fire Chief Ken Crosswhite says the fire did not pose a risk to the museum and has been brought under control. He says no injuries were reported.

Museum officials say they hope to open the building to visitors later Monday morning once firefighters complete their investigation.

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