NYC courthouse evacuated due to smoke; fire apparently started in contractor’s shed
By APTuesday, March 2, 2010
NYC courthouse evacuated due to smoke
NEW YORK — Hundreds of people have been evacuated from a New York City courthouse because of a smoky basement fire.
Courts spokesman David Bookstaver says it apparently started in a wooden contractor’s shed.
The building in Lower Manhattan was evacuated at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The lobby was filled with a haze. A light plume of yellow-brown smoke could be see near the roof.
In addition to courtrooms for criminal proceedings, the building houses offices for prosecutors and other government entities.
Mirasol Caramuna had traveled an hour from her Bronx home to pay a traffic ticket. Then she was ordered outside. Caramuna says she could smell smoke on the mezzanine-like second floor.
It was unclear how many inmates were there for court dates, and where they were taken.
