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A man carrying a flare gun and a torch lighter was arrested at the US Capitol Visitor Center on Tuesday.

Authorities stopped the man during a screening process where they say he smelled of fuel.

The arrest led the Capitol Visitor's Center to close for tours for the day.

Authorities said the man was still being questioned and an investigation was under way, though there was no indication the incident had anything to do with the election.

United States Chief of Police J Thomas Manger said a white male approached an entrance of the Capitol Visitors Center just after 12:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Tuesday.

When the man put his bag on the conveyor belt for screening, officials found something that appeared to be in the shape of a firearm and two bottles which they now believe were some sort of accelerant like gasoline, though it's still under investigation.

The reason officials were able to smell the accelerant was because one of the bottles was leaking through the bag, officials said.

He was then detained.

Authorities said the man was carrying papers, which they are now inspecting.