The Madison Building of the Library of Congress was evacuated Tuesday afternoon when a sprinkler broke, causing water to pour out, according to the U.S. Capitol Police and a spokeswoman for the library.

Patrons and staff were allowed to return to the building shortly before 2:30 p.m., about one hour after the alarm sounded. The Madison Building is one of the modern wings of the library, located in the 100 block of Independence Avenue SE.

Gayle Osterberg, a spokeswoman for the Library of Congress, said the building was evacuated “due to a water flow alarm caused by a damaged sprinkler head.”

Tasha Jamerson, a spokeswoman for the Capitol Police, said there was “a significant amount of water” coming “out of a broken sprinkler.”

Police had closed several streets in the area; authorities said all streets were reopened about 2:30 p.m.