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Police in Washington DC launched a major response amid reports of an 'active shooter' that turned out to be a false alarm.

Dozens of officers and cars swarmed the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency in the centre of the city.

One video posted online by Alexis Fabbri showed officers carrying shields running into the building and was tagged 'active shooter'.

But Liz Bowman, public affairs officer for Scott Pruitt the head of the EPA, later tweeted that "reports of gunshots were unfounded".

"Building is secure; staff is safe. Thank you to our first responders," she added.

According to Mike Valerio, a reporter with local TV channel WUSA9, police were called to reports of "shots fired" from the fifth floor of the building which is opposite Trump Tower on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The EPA has been at the centre of political upheaval since the election of Donald Trump who has claimed he wants to get rid of the department entirely.

The President has said previously he believes climate change is a "hoax" perpetuated by China and recently withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement to combat global emissions signed by 195 countries.