Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Health officials are investigating a mysterious chemical-like odor that sent three Henderson justice center workers to the hospital and led to the evacuation of 40 others.
About 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, employees in the city building at 243 Water St. were overcome by fumes they said made it difficult for them to breathe.
The three workers were taken to St. Rose Dominican Hospital. They were treated, held briefly for observation and released that afternoon, officials said.
The Henderson Fire Department evacuated the second and third floors of the complex that houses the city jail on the first floor. None of the 73 inmates in the facility Tuesday was evacuated, fire officials said.
Municipal and Justice courts were in session at the time of the incident, and were evacuated. The Municipal Court calendar was canceled for the day, as were court programs such as the traffic school. The Justice Court afternoon calendar was heard.
City officials believe the odor came from a bathroom near the clerks' and bailiffs' offices.
But neither city fire officials nor Clark County Health District officials were able to locate the source -- or even a trace -- of the odor with sophisticated chemical-detecting equipment.
Machines designed to force air from the building were deployed, and employees were able to return to their offices after the lunch hour.
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