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. (More State Department stories.) Report an error