Loud noise triggers security alert at White House before Obama take-off
A loud noise on the White House's South Lawn has triggered a security alert just before US President Barack Obama and his family were about to take off by helicopter, according to a White House pool report.
The report said the first family had not yet reached the South Lawn.
The Secret Service quickly moved the press back into the briefing room and initiated a lock-down.
Security officials said a fire outside the White House prompted the alert. Firefighters have contained the blaze at a vendor cart outside the mansion grounds.
The first family was scheduled to leave the White House at 10:30 a.m. for Selma, Alabama, where Obama will make a speech to mark the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," a landmark event of the civil rights movement.
The Obamas left the White House about 40 minutes later than planned.
Secret Service officials were also alerted to a suspicious vehicle on 16th Street and Constitution Avenue, said law enforcement officials. No further details were provided.
HRJ/HRJ
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