SHREVEPORT, La. -- A courthouse in north Louisiana will be closed indefinitely so that repairs can be made to the building's main power distribution system.
Crews are assessing damage to the Caddo Parish Courthouse's power grid that happened during maintenance Sunday.
A small explosion happened around 10 a.m. in the building's parking garage. According to Clarence Reese, assistant to the fire chief, a crew of contractors was working inside the courthouse on a drop ceiling and drilled into electrical wires within the walls, KTBS-TV reported.
A contractor was injured by a flash burn. Other crew members called 911 and the contractor was transported to an area hosspital in critical condition with serious injuries.
The contractor was able to describe what happened when police arrived.
Until operations can resume, the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court will operate out of the Juvenile Clerk of Court building. Limited services such as protective orders, emergency civil suits and mortgages/conveyances will be handled.
To obtain a birth certificate or marriage license, visit the Clerk of Court offices in Bossier or DeSoto parishes.
As for the other services, residents can pay fines and bonds online at www.caddosheriff.org or in person at the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office substations.
The Caddo Parish Tax Assessor's office will be closed until the courthouse reopens. Taxes can still be paid online or by mail.
The Caddo Parish District Attorney's courthouse office will be closed, too. Defendants will be notified of their new court dates.