Fire erupts in Eisenhower Executive Office Building

This is off MSNBC News:

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.

A uniformed Secret Service officer stands on the White House grounds in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, as smoke pours out of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Secret Service spokesman Darrin Blackford said the Old Executive Office building was evacuated as a precaution. District of Columbia firefighters poured water on the blaze and moved furniture from the building onto a balcony.

The Executive Office Building houses the Office of Management and Budget and staff of the National Security Council and other agencies.

My apologies, but the cynic in me has got to ask this one question. I wonder how many more secret documents, torture memos, waterboarding videotapes, Bush-approved U.S. attorney termination papers, failed Iraqi intelligence notes, and White House visitor logs that President Bush and Vice President Cheney wanted to conveniently destroy? All that paper could make some nice kindling in a utility closet....

The big comment I have is all those beautiful antiques, paintings, and historic furniture that are being destroyed by the fire and water damage.