Key Angus Council offices in Forfar have been closed on health and safety grounds amid claims that wall sockets caught fire and began to melt.
Around 180 staff were relocated after the council took “immediate action” and bolted the door on County Buildings.
The drama was the latest €” and most serious-development in the electrical crisis at the council, which has rumbled on for two months.
A spokeswoman said, “The difficulties at County Buildings escalated in the last 24 hours.
“That created health and safety concerns beyond what had previously been experienced and that’s why the council took immediate action and closed the building this morning.”
SNP leader Helen Oswald said the decision to “batten down the hatches” was the only one that could be taken.
She said, “I spoke to the chief executive this morning and he said that they were taken absolutely by surprise by this.
“It’s been two and a half weeks since everybody moved back in.
“Everything seemed to be okay and overnight something bizarre seemed to have happened and there were power points melted in the walls and one officer actually saw little flames coming out of one of them.
“It seems that maybe the fire alarm system wasn’t working properly either.”‘Batten down the hatches’She added, “Where before it had been going off every 10 minutes, it seemed not to have reacted to this particular one so really you had to just batten down the hatches €” you couldn’t have people working under these circumstances until you find out what is the root cause of this because it may be something totally different.
“I’m very glad that they are looking after the health and safety of the employees and fortunately they have got places that they can farm the staff out to and we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Last night independent councillor Bob Spink, who chairs the authority’s scrutiny and audit sub-committee, said the latest turn of events was a concern after the body had been told earlier this week that the two-month glitch appeared to have been fixed.
He said, “We were told that the problem appeared to be resolved, but through a combination of actions, none of which could be identified as the actual and individual solution to the real problem.
“This is of course worrying as no guarantees could be given that the problems would not recur and indeed we now are where we are and the problems are clearly not resolved.”
He added, “Of course we all realise that this situation is entirely unsatisfactory and that it must be resolved and will be in the end.
“Interruption to computer services and other systems through faulty electrical supply can cause all sorts of problems to the departments concerned and to their systems and result in delay and deterioration of the necessary services of the council through absolutely no fault of the staff concerned €” staff whose health and safety is paramount within a situation which, so far, I fear we appear to have no answer and where anecdotal reports have caused me some concern.”
Mr Spink said, “I know that every effort is being made by the council to resolve this situation and that the health and safety of the staff involved is the principal concern, but nonetheless it is foremost in my thoughts.
“I can also give assurances that proper and full risk assessment and evaluation of this affair within my sub-committee will result in time from this situation, and that every aspect of it will be scrutinised and the lessons learnt.”Countless emails lostThe mysterious fault has been causing a headache since February 18, with services disrupted across the board.
The difficulties are centred on County Buildings in Market Street, where several departments including planning and environmental health, have offices.
The problems may have led to the loss of countless emails while staff at Forfar HQ were interrupted several times during a three-week period in March, because the fire alarm kept going off.
Last month the council conducted a weekend shutdown of its computer system to pinpoint the cause of the issue, and said it was making progress to rectify it.
But on Friday staff were told to pack up and County Buildings was closed.
A council spokeswoman said, “Staff are being relocated to other offices but there will be some disruption to services as this is under way.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but ask customers to bear with us during this time.”
The services affected are planning, roads, economic development and environmental and consumer protection.
Any calls for these services should be directed to the ACCESSLine 08452 777 778.