(Photos by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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.
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Comments
You mean Darth wasn't in his "undisclosed location"? He must be slipping.
Posted by: John E | December 19, 2007 1:52 PM
A TOYOTA? What's that say about American cars?
Posted by: syj | December 19, 2007 2:08 PM
Karma - isn't it a Bitch?
Posted by: Buckley | December 19, 2007 2:26 PM
So good news, huh!!! Here's an automatic out for the whereabouts of the records the Judiciary Committee's looking for! "Oh, GOSH!! I was JUST getting ready to send all those over to you guys, when -- WHOOSH!!!!! Really sorry about that!"
Posted by: Op109 | December 19, 2007 2:37 PM
"CHENEY SPEAKS"
WHAT EXECUTIVE BRANCH IS ON FIRE. I HAVE AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICE IN THE WHITE HOUSE. ARE YOU SURE? I AM NOT PART OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND I WISH YA'LL WOULD STOP SAYING THAT ON THE HILL.
NEXT I WILL BE EXPLAINING THE DUTIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
I'M NOT PART OF THAT CONSTITUTIONAL DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
STOP SAYING EXECUTIVE BRANCH STUFF.
Posted by: Roger Morris | December 19, 2007 3:03 PM
Was Cheney stiff on Old Style and fell asleep with a smoke?
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 19, 2007 3:57 PM
It's ironic that they used a Prius, which has so much embodied energy (the energy used to manufacture it) and needs so much energy to recycle it at the end of its life. They would have done better to drive it up there in a Tahoe.
Using a Toyota says less about American cars than it does about the general level of ignorance on the part of our lawmakers. I cringe for our future.
Posted by: Dave | December 19, 2007 4:16 PM
I wonder how many more CIA tapes and documents were torched, setting off that fire. If you can't suppress evidence, burn it!
Posted by: snalg | December 19, 2007 4:23 PM
"FIRST RESPONDERS SPEAK"
WOW 1 ADAM 12, 1 ADAM 12. GEE THESE WALKIE TALKIES NEVER WORKED, NOW ALL OF SUDDEN I CAN HEAR SOMETHING.
DICK CHENEY HAS AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
I THOUGHT HE SAID HE WASN'T PART OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
BUSH DID SAY, WELL YOUR EQUIPMENT WILL NOT WORK AFTER TODAY, SO, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
ANY ONE SEEN KARL!
Posted by: Roger Morris | December 19, 2007 4:27 PM
They didn't burn up "all" of the evidence:
http://photobucket.com/mediadetail/?media=http%3A%2F%2Fi30.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc333%2Fnavycs%2Fbushcheneynaked.jpg&searchTerm=bush%20and%20cheney&pageOffset=6
Posted by: John E | December 19, 2007 4:50 PM
Dang! The evidence burn got out of control!
hee
Posted by: I swear to God I'm not anonymous | December 19, 2007 4:59 PM
"Ah, I love the smell of burning tapes in the morning"
Posted by: Dick Cheney | December 19, 2007 5:43 PM
They probably couldn't shred their documents fast enough, so probably just set them on fire. It's quicker. Good excuse when they get a court order for the documents. Oh, they went up in smoke in the fire.
Geez..what will they try next?
Posted by: doug anderson | December 19, 2007 8:29 PM
Cheney must have not understood that call from Rove that said to "throw up another smoke screen".
Posted by: DD | December 19, 2007 10:06 PM
A Pug Haiku:
Bytes get deleted,
or stored at obscure servers.
Tapes and memos burn.
Posted by: Vivian | December 20, 2007 12:47 AM
How much you want to bet that the "fire" got the info the National Archives has been trying to get.
Posted by: True American | December 20, 2007 1:12 AM
A ridiculous photo to make Bush look like a regular guy.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | December 20, 2007 8:05 AM