US | State Department 3 Seriously Injured in State Dept. Fire Maintenance workers burned By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Nov 25, 2012 7:02 AM CST Copied The Harry S. Truman Building, headquarters for the State Department, is seen in Washington, in this March 9, 2009 file photo. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Authorities say three maintenance workers were seriously injured after a fire broke out at the State Department's headquarters in Washington. The fire broke out at around 11am yesterday in the ductwork on the 7th floor during routine maintenance to a mechanical area of the building. Workers were able to put out the fire before firefighters arrived, but three people suffered burns; one person's injuries are life-threatening. The building was briefly evacuated and then reopened. Read These Next A White House press briefing got pretty heated Thursday. Venezuela responds to the US seizure of an oil tanker. Audi Crooks of Iowa State may do what no college player has ever done. Another big brand delivers an AI-driven holiday dud. Report an error