TOMS RIVER — The Ocean County Courthouse was shut down Monday after emergency crews responded to a reported facilities problem at the building. Turns out, it was all caused by a battery in a portable radio that malfunctioned.
Details about what prompted the response were not immediately released but later on in the afternoon, Sheriff Michael Mastronardy confirmed that the odor of smoke was caused from the battery
Nearby operations appeared to continue as normal at the Ocean County Jail and at the active jail expansion construction site. Hooper Avenue was temporarily blocked between Washington Street and Madison Avenue during the response, then reopened shortly before 11 a.m.
State court officials announced that the Ocean Vicinage would remain closed for the rest of May 11. Anyone seeking a temporary restraining order was advised to call the Family Division’s Domestic Violence Unit at 732-504-0700, ext. 64608, or contact their local police department.
