Fumes at Circuit Court yesterday caused several people to be sent to the hospital. City worker Maxima Domingo, right, was wheeled off to an ambulance.
Parts of Circuit Court
close due to fumes
Parts of the Circuit Court building were closed to the public for several hours yesterday after nontoxic fumes from a roofing sealant entered the air conditioning system.
CORRECTION
Saturday, May 15, 2004State worker Maxima Domingo was wheeled to an ambulance as emergency crews tended to a report of nontoxic fumes at the Circuit Court building Tuesday. In a photo caption on Page A3 in some Wednesday editions, Domingo was incorrectly identified as a city worker.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.
At least three people went to the hospital by ambulance for observation, said Derrick Young, district chief of Emergency Medical Services. Six others sought medical treatment on their own.
About 9 a.m., workers began to notice the fumes from repairs being done to the building's roof, but employees didn't begin leaving the building until about 11 a.m.
The odor was more pronounced on the first floor, where the legal documents section, file room and cashiers are housed, and in the fourth-floor courtroom and chambers of Circuit Judge Karen Blondin, said Bill Santos, deputy chief court administrator.
By 1:30 p.m., some employees were allowed to return to their work areas after the Honolulu Fire Department's hazardous materials team gave the go-ahead.
The legal documents section and file room remained closed because of lingering odors. Other employees who were affected by the odor were also allowed to go home.
Chief Justice Ronald Moon extended the time for filing documents due yesterday in Circuit Court for one day. All documents that were to be filed yesterday may be filed by close of business today.
