White House on alert after nearby fire, suspicious vehicle
WASHINGTON -- The departure of President Obama and the first family was briefly delayed by a vendor cart fire and a suspicious vehicle near the White House Saturday.
They were heading to Selma, Alabama, for a historic 50th anniversary march. Reporters at the scene heard a loud noise before they were led back inside.
Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary says a vendor cart caught fire around 10 a.m. at 15th and G streets. Firefighters responded and contained the blaze. D.C. Fire and EMS says one patient was evaluated but wasn't taken to a hospital.
Around the same time, Leary says a bomb-sniffing dog detected something on a vehicle nearby. That vehicle was checked out by the Secret Service and other officers. The vehicle was cleared at 11:48 a.m.
Mr. Obama and the first family were driven to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and were on board Air Force One at around 11:40 a.m.