Fire in OEOB - Near Cheney's Office

WASHINGTON - Thick black smoke billowed from a fire Wednesday on the White House compound in the Executive Office Building.

The blaze appeared to be located near the ceremonial office of Vice President Dick Cheney on the second floor of the building. The vice president was across the street in his office in the West Wing of the White House.

I've been in the "ceremonial" office of the Vice President in the Old Executive Office Building. At the time it was occupied by a real human being - Al Gore. The desk in that office was the one Teddy Roosevelt used when he was Secretary of the Navy.

Its unfortunate that Cheney wasn't present when the fire alarm went off. Maybe next time.