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Historic courthouse closed after boiler malfunction

Rick Couch, with the Butler County Maintenance Department, disassembles the housing around the Historic Butler County Courthouse's main boiler Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, in Hamilton, Ohio. The courthouse was closed Friday after a crack in the main boiler sent smoke throughout the building Thursday evening. Nearly 1,300 documents are circulated through the courthouse every week.

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Rick Couch, with the Butler County Maintenance Department, disassembles the housing around the Historic Butler County Courthouse's main boiler Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, in Hamilton, Ohio. The courthouse was closed Friday after a crack in the main boiler sent smoke throughout the building Thursday evening. Nearly 1,300 documents are circulated through the courthouse every week.

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By Richard Wilson and Richard Wilson and Lauren Pack
Staff Writers Updated 6:01 PM Friday, October 28, 2011

HAMILTON — The Historic Butler County Courthouse was closed down Friday and its reopening is in question after a malfunction heavily damaged the aged boiler Thursday evening in the facility.

Fire crews responded around 6 p.m. to a report of smoke emanating from the basement of the courthouse, 101 High St.

Crews discovered heavy smoke emanating from a large boiler and quickly shut off the gas line that feeds it, according to Hamilton Fire Chief Joe Schutte. There were no open flames and no one was injured, he said.

Mark Gadd, Butler County facilities manager, said the surface of the boiler reached 1,000 degrees and essentially melted.

“It was glowing red when I saw it.” Gadd said. “It looked angry.”

A clean up crew worked Friday to scrub the air and a contractor is evaluating the damages to the boiler, said Matt Haverkos, operations director for the Butler County Emergency Management Agency.

The building houses Area II and probate courts and the shutdown effects court hearings and about 26 employees who work there, said Haverkos.

Gadd said clean up efforts will continue through the weekend, but he noted there was no smoke damage to the building and no records were lost.

County and court officials will meet Monday to determine when the building will be back in full operation. Gadd said contractors are still assessing whether the boiler can be repaired or if it will have to be replaces. A cost is not yet known.

“It is severely damaged,” Gadd said. He added the building is safe, but will be “a little cool” until repairs are completed. He estimated that could take a week.

Gadd said the boiler passed a recent inspection and had been operating.

“It was a total surprise,” Gadd said.

Schutte said he responded to the scene along with multiple fire engines and crews. The emergency call was worrisome in part because it comes only months from the 100-year anniversary of a fire at the courthouse that killed three firefighters, Schutte said.

“Fortunately there was nobody hurt and no other damages to the building,” he said.

The public can receive updates on the progress of reopening the courthouse by calling (513) 785-5800.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or rwilson@coxohio.com.

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