Saint John Law Courts closed for rest of the week

The Saint John Law Courts will remain closed the rest of this week as crews continue to clean up afteran electricalfireand monitorthe safety of theair quality.

Shortly after 2 a.m. on Wednesdaya fire broke out in a utility room of the courthouse building. Although it wasquickly extinguished, smoke spread throughout much of the building, leaving a strong odour.

Justice department spokesperson Dave MacLeansays apower supply battery bankfor the building's emergency lights was the source of thefire, which is why there is a need for caution.

"If it had been a fire in a wastepaper basket we'd probably already be back in the courthouse, but given the substance that was in the fire [we're taking]an abundance of caution," he said.

MacLean said the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre will act as a "makeshift"courthouse for the rest of the week. Anyone with a scheduledappearance is directed to go to the Trade Centre, rather than the courthouse,at the appointedtime.

In addition, those withpayments to make mustwait until things returnto normal on Monday.

"Anyone that had a payment to be made for a provincial court fine, we won't be accepting those no additional penalty if they pay next week," said MacLean.

He also says anyone planning to file legal papers at the courthouse this week must take their papers to the Service New Brunswicklocation at King's Square.