La Porte, IN – It was business as usual Tuesday at the historic LaPorte County Courthouse after two boilers leaked deadly gas Monday that produced levels that could have been lethal.
According to firefighters, up to 500 parts per million of carbon monoxide were detected in the boiler room inside the basement of the more than century old downtown courthouse.
The gas was seeping out throughout the structure but the levels were a much lower 20 parts per million on the first floor and even less on the upper tiers.
LaPorte Assistant Fire Chief A.C. Pressler said two to three hours of being exposed to levels of 500 parts per million can result in death.
Had there not been carbon monoxide detectors, Pressler said the potential for danger would have climbed from gas building up to higher concentrations in the boiler room and other areas of the structure.
Nobody became ill and the entire building was evacuated about 10:30 a.m.
Everyone was allowed to return three hours later after the boilers were shut down and the facility completely aired out.
LaPorte County Building Maintenance director Jerry Cooley said much of the gas leak was from a blockage in the exhaust of one of the boilers, which has been put of service until the pipe is cleared.
“Evidently, something crawled down there from the chimney, maybe some birds or whatever,” said Cooley.
Just a minimal amount was excaping from a valve on the other boiler, which was tightened and turned back on.
“So, we’re back in operation,” said Cooley.
Both of the aging boilers are scheduled to be put out of commission from a new heating system going in later this year as part of the ongoing courthouse renovation.