A lot of them were on lunch hour, but those who were not got an extra break when fire alarms went off in the McHenry County Courthouse complex.

I was operating a hand drier in a bathroom when a light above it started blinking.

It said, “Fire.”

So, back out in the hall I went and out into the 60-degree weather.

People came out into the back parking lot.

I went to get my camera, which is not allowed in the Courthouse for some reason, and started taking pictures.

Seeing no smoke in back, I decided to walk around the building.

A view of the folks standing outside in front of the Courthouse.

In front there were more people standing in the parking lot.

The Woodstock Fire Protection District station near Woodstock North High School.

As I was next to the jail, I heard fire engines coming.

It seemed like it was ten minutes since I had to leave the courthouse.

The sirens were coming from town, rather than from what I thought was the closest station, which is located near the new Woodstock North High School.

I found Judge Charles Weech after i walked around the jail (no evacuation there).  I told him I didn’t envy him his job and that I was impressed by the quality of judges I had observed.

After a couple of minutes, those who were standing outside went back to work.