White House temporarily evacuated: official

WASHINGTON: The West Wing of the White House was temporarily evacuated on Saturday morning after a minor electrical problem set off a smoke alarm, a White House official said.

"Early this am, an electrical transformer near the West Wing malfunctioned and set off a smoke alarm in the West Wing. The transformer problem was quickly resolved.

"Electricity and personnel access to the West Wing has returned to normal. The first family was unaffected," the official said.

The West Wing houses the Oval Office and the offices of President Barack Obama's key staff. The president and his family live in the porticoed residence that stands between the East and West Wings.