Fire May Have Started in Electrical Closet

WHITE HOUSE - The White House says a fire at the Old Executive Office Building appears to have started in an electrical closet or a telephone bank.

"It appears to be an electrical room or closet or a telephone bank," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

It isn't clearn how much damage the fire caused.

The ceremonial office of Vice President Dick Cheney was damaged by smoke and water.

The fire occurred about 9:15 a.m. Wednesday. About 1,700 people who work in the building were evacuated.

D.C. Fire and Rescue spokesman Alan Etter says there were no reports of serious injuries.

A U.S. Marine stationed at the building smashed a fifth-floor window to escape from the smoke and had to be rescued from the ledge. The man suffered a minor cut to his hand.

At one point, dark smoke billowed from a second-floor window.

At the time of the blaze, Cheney was across the street in the White House with President Bush.

The Eisenhower Executive Office Building houses the Office of Management and Budget and staff of the National Security Council and other agencies.

Originally built for the State, War and Navy Departments between 1871 and 1888, the building was renamed in honor of President Dwight Eisenhower during the Clinton administration.

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