Durham courthouse reopens after flooding
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Water damage caused by a broken pipe last week in the Durham County courthouse affected courtrooms and offices that can't be seen by most people who enter the building, but Eyewitness News was able to get behind the plastic barriers restricting public access.
Video shows raw spaces near the floors where walls are removed. Fans are now in place to dry out three floors on a wing of the building.
Attorney John Fitzpatrick was reassigned to a different courtroom while the cleanup is underway.
"I was kind of shocked, being that we have a new building and you'd think things wouldn't happen," said Fitzpatrick. "At the same time, things do happen you can't control. I'm just glad the files were not destroyed."
Some files and court records got wet when about an inch of water accumulated after pipes burst on Friday.
County spokesperson Dawn Dudley said those papers are now frozen by a specialist who is working to minimize the damage. The specialist plans to then restore those records by drying them out.
There isn't much noticeable damage when you enter the building, which is now open for business. The three floors affected by Friday's flooding look normal, except for the plastic sheeting at the end of the halls on those floors.
The county is checking to see who's responsible, but Dudley said they can't identify any specific person or contractor today.
"We're still honing in on who exactly touched with part, of that part of the building where the damage took place," she said. "And while we go through that investigation again, everyone is at the table to identify the problem area."
She could not confirm any estimate of the final cost of repairs.
People with business on the three affected floors will see signs that direct them to dry offices and courtrooms, located away from the water damaged areas.
