Several employees of the Uvalde County Clerk’s office located inside the Uvalde County Courthouse reported feeling ill with symptoms of dizziness and headaches resulting in the office closure 30 minutes early On Wednesday, January 17th, according to information the Uvalde Hesperian obtained from an elected official who asked not to be named. On Friday, Jan 19th, a sign was posted the Uvalde County Clerk’s office door indicated the office was once again closed. Uvalde County Clerk Donna Williams told the Uvalde Hesperian the office is now open for business again.
Additionally it was reported that one employee who works at the Courthouse went to the hospital to get checked out for possible exposure to carbon monoxide. A source, who asked to remain anonymous said carbon monoxide monitors sounded inside the Courthouse on Wednesday
The Uvalde Hesperian spoke with Uvalde County Judge Bill Mitchell who said the alarms were likely triggered by a malfunctioning boiler which is used to centrally heat the 97 year old Uvalde County Courthouse.
According to Judge Mitchell, he stated the out outside service company has been called in to inspect and repair the boiler and the issue is currently being addressed. Mitchell stated the building is safe and discounted any reports of carbon monoxide inside the Courthouse indicating the alarms were likely false alarms.
The Uvalde Hesperian spoke to City of Uvalde Fire Martial Juan Hernandez who said he came to the Courthouse and spoke with Uvalde County Judge Mitchell who informed him the boiler was being inspected and repaired. When asked if an air test had been done at the Uvalde County Courthouse he said, “No”.
As a precaution, a carbon monoxide detector has been installed in the Uvalde County Clerk’s office. Currently the Courthouse remains open for business.
According to Mitchell, the boiler was not turned on Thursday.
