Baltimore Courthouse Closed All Week Due To Basement Fire

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Investigators believe the cause of a fire at Mitchell Courthouse was likely an electrical issue.

George Solis has more.

Just outside the steps to Mitchell Courthouse chaos erupted amid sea of smoke as firefighters battled a fire happening beneath them.

"We actually checked every floor in the courthouse, including the basement of the courthouse as well. The fire itself was pretty much contained to the transformer though," said Baltimore Fire Captain Roman Clark.

Clark tells WJZ the fire most likely started with the underground transformer in the basement.

In other words an electrical malfunction, but how it failed still isn't clear.

Aimen Sayyad tells WJZ he's seen his fair share of troubles at the courthouse but this one takes the cake.

Security personnel were the only people inside at the time of the incident. Luckily, no one was hurt.

The courthouse has been shut down to air out smoke that filled the entire building.

Anyone with business at the courthouse today is being directed to Courthouse East across the street.

Baltimore Gas and Electric is looking into the cause and working to repair the damage.

The courthouse will stay closed for the rest of the week.

Firefighters say these types of underground fires are rare.