Rotten egg smell permeates Courthouse

Was really strong about 10 minutes ago; is less now. Will see what I can find out. Court staff is on it investigating on roof. Don't know if County workers are on it but I heard someone say, "I will call County."

There is work going on the roof. One court bailiff and HCSO deputy just asked everyone to evacuate the building on second floor. Judges were taken to the basement.

First District Supervisor Rex Bohn who was in the lobby just said I dont know what is going on and guffawed. Then he walked to BOS chambers.

Now it smells like rotten fish. And it is worse outside.

As usual courts are on it; County has no clue. Security was not notified. So it was mass chaos in the lobby with some people leaving; others going into the building.

8:29 Another court bailiff and deputy said we are no longer evacuating the building because the possibility of gas was eliminated. Courts are open despite the retching smell. Courts started a few minutes late.

8:38: The second floor now only has a faint smell.

9:37 a.m: Spoke with County Public Works staff. The smell is from a truck with fish guts spilled all over 5th Street. This truck was close to the Courthouse on 5th Street and contained other garbage.

He said when the front doors open, the air gets sucked in like a chimney. He couldn't tell me if that was the official cause but he did say it was not the sewer line. There is still the smell of fish on 5th street but no visual evidence.