The Library of Congress in Washington has been evacuated (Picture: Getty)

A US government building has been evacuated in Washington DC over fears a pickup truck that might be carrying an explosive was spotted nearby.

The truck was seen outside the Library of Congress on Capitol Hill on Thursday morning and police say they reason to believe it may be carrying an explosive device. The area around the building has subsequently been evacuated as officers swarm the area.

Capitol Police are leading the response and have said that officers received reports of a ‘suspicious vehicle near the Library of Congress’.

Investigators are at the scene and are working to determine whether the device was an operable explosive.

It’s not been made immediately clear who was driving the truck or how long it has been parked outside the Capitol.

This is a breaking story, more to follow…