Update: The Montour County Courthouse was back open on Friday.
(Original story)
DANVILLE -- The Montour County Courthouse in Danville was closed all day Thursday because of fumes from a renovation project.
Around 50 people were forced to leave the courthouse Thursday morning.
Fawn Souder drove from Milton to the Montour County Courthouse in Danville for business.
"I was actually just coming here to run an errand for my mom to get some information."
But Souder never got to run that errand. The courthouse closed for the day shortly after it opened.
The front of the Montour County Courthouse in Danville is under construction because of cracks in the facade. Contractors are using glue to fix those cracks.
According to Commissioner Trevor Finn, the contractors left a window open overnight. When they used the glue Thursday morning, the toxic fumes went inside the courthouse.
"There were fumes in the courthouse, that the contractors had left the window open, and the fumes were coming into the courthouse," said Commissioner Finn. "We agreed that we needed to close the courthouse immediately so we evacuated the courthouse."
The county commissioner says this glue is not safe to be around for a long period of time, especially for pregnant women and children.
Courthouse employees noticed the smell right away and about 50 people were told to leave the courthouse around 8:45 a.m.
Originally, the courthouse was supposed to open at noon but the fumes are so intense that commissioners do not feel the building is safe to let people inside.
People who needed to do business at the courthouse were out of luck.
"It kind of sucks because I drove all the way here to do this for her, but i guess I'll have to come back tomorrow," said Souder.
Manford Klatt wanted to pay his property taxes.
"It's a pain in the butt, but it happens."
Finn tells Newswatch 16 that luckily, this was not a busy day at the courthouse.
"Probation had some people they were seeing. They called and canceled. There were some people in the register and recorder's office but it wasn't a very big day," Commissioner Finn said.
Some courthouse employees are still working. The sheriff's office is out serving warrants.
No one had to be treated because of the fumes.
Emergency crews brought in pressure ventilation fans to get the fumes out. Commissioner Finn said they will not fine the contractor.
The Montour County Courthouse is expected to reopen Friday.
