(Photos by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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by Matthew Hay Brown
A fire in the White House compound this morning didn’t present President Bush from hosting signing ceremonies for a pair of bills.
The blaze that broke out at 9:15 a.m. in Vice President Dick Cheney’s ceremonial office suite at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building forced the evacuation of 1,000 workers. The French Second Empire strructure, which was built between 1871 and 1888, stands across West Executive Drive from the White House in the enclosed compound on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Cheney was in the West Wing of the White House when the fire broke out, the Associated Press reported. The conflagration, which produced black smoke visible for blocks, was brought under control within half an hour. No serious injuries were reported; a Marine stationed at the building was treated for a minor cut to his hand sustained when he smashed a fifth-floor window to escape the smoke. The Marine was rescued from the ledge.
Bush signed the energy bill at the Department of Energy this morning, then returned to the White House for an Oval Office ceremony to sign legislation that prevents payments to victims and families of the Virginia Tech shootings from being taxed.
The energy bill, which was delivered to the White House Tuesday in a hybrid Toyota Prius, raises car fuel efficiency standards for the first time in more than three decades. It also mandates increases in biofuel production and requires new energy efficiency in light bulbs and washing machines and dishwashers.
Later, he appeared with Cheney on West Executive Avenue to thank D.C. firefighters and submitted to photos.