There was a small fire Wednesday evening at the Ellis County Courthouse where reconstruction is underway.

Hays Fire Chief Gary Brown said crews responded to an automatic fire alarm in the Law Enforcement Center, 1201 Main, at 8:23 p.m.  Wednesday night.

On arrival, firefighters were met by construction workers who reported a small fire on the second floor of the building. The workers said they had already extinguished the blaze with a fire extinguisher.

Additional firefighters were called as a precaution in case the fire had spread and to assist in removing smoke. Firefighters quickly determined that the fire was under control.

Brown said  the fire likely started from sparks from cutting equipment being used by the construction workers.