Wake County Office Building, Courthouse Closed April 5 Due to Gas Line Leak

4/5/2005

Wake County Manager David Cooke has announced that the Waverly F. Akins Wake County Office Building and the Wake County Courthouse in downtown Raleigh will remain closed to the public for the remainder of the day, Tuesday, April 5, as of 2 p.m.

County staff and the public were evacuated shortly before noon Tuesday due to a gas line leak on the Fayetteville Street Mall at Davie Street.  County EMS officials reported that 113 residents from the Sir Walter Apartments on the Fayetteville Street Mall were evacuated to the Sheraton Hotel and will be returned to the Sir Walter at approximately 3 p.m. today. 

All services in the Wake County Office Building and the Wake County Courthouse will resume normal operations on Wednesday morning, April 6.

Raleigh Fire and Police Department officials entered and evacuated the buildings and continued to monitor them for potentially hazardous gas levels.  At approximately 1:30 p.m. officials determined that the leak no longer posed a threat.  The building will remain closed as a precautionary measure.  

The Wake County Sheriff's Office assisted in evacuating the Courthouse and the Wake County Office building and in providing security for the courthouse.

For additional information, contact Sharon Brown with the Wake County Public Information Office at 919-623-8609.

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