QUEENSBURY---An explosion in an electrical panel box and resulting fire closed down the Warren County Municipal Center on Route 9 Tuesday morning and about 200 people were evacuated and sent home.

It is expected that the municipal building will be closed all day Wednesday while repairs are made. The building's main electrical control box sustained heavy damage.

The explosion in the building's basement occurred shortly after 9 a.m., filling the building with smoke. There were no injuries reported.

County employees reported seeing a flash of light and immediately smelled an electrical fire. So far, there's been no determination of the cause of the explosion. The system is 40 years old.

The county's public safety building which houses the sheriff's department and jail was not affected and a command center was established in that building. People with health related problems can call 866-276-7586. Anyone with general questions relating to county business may call 743-2551.

The Department of Motor Vehicles, County Clerk and the county court system will not be open until at least Thursday. Some necessary services will be conducted out of the Public Safety Building which is north of the main building.

Essential services of the county Public Health Department, county administrator and county clerk will be conducted Wednesday at the Public Safety Building.

Warren County Court proceedings scheduled for Wednesday will be held at Glens Falls City Court beginning at noon. Call 798-4714 for information.

State Supreme Court proceedings scheduled for Wednesday at the Warren County Courthouse will be held at the Washington County Courthouse at 1:30 p.m. Call 746-2521 for information.

The County Commissioner of Jurors can be reached at 885-2223.

The Surrogate's Court can be reached at 587-7237.

For information regarding essential services, call these numbers:
Warren County Public Health -- 743-2555 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., (866) 276-7586 after hours. Fax number 761-6562. WIC clinics and homecare appointments will be held Wednesday as scheduled; walk-ins and immunizations will not be available.

Department of Motor Vehicles -- Customers are directed to the Washington County Office on Route 4 in Fort Edward, 746-2162.

Warren County Clerk's Office -- Customers with time-sensitive documents can bring them to the makeshift clerk's office Wednesday at the Public Safety Building. Phone number is 743-2551. County Administrator Hal Payne can also be reached at the Public Safety Building Wednesday, 743-2551.

Warren County Family Court can be reached at 580-9346.    3-27-07

© 2007 North Country Gazette