Fire shuts down Labor Dept. building

[May 03, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- An overnight fire at the Labor Department's headquarters has shut the building down for most employees.

Spokesman Carl Fillichio says the agency's monthly employment report will be released as scheduled Friday. Department employees and members of the news media involved in the release of the report will be allowed in the building as usual.

But all other Labor employees who were scheduled to work in the building will receive administrative leave.

Fillichio did not immediately have information on what caused the fire at the Frances Perkins building or how extensive the damage was. The building on Constitution Ave. opened in 1975.

[Associated Press; By SAM HANANEL]

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