The Saint John Law Courts will remain closed the rest of this week as crews continue to clean up after an electrical fire and monitor the safety of the air quality.

Shortly after 2 a.m. on Wednesday a fire broke out in a utility room of the courthouse building. Although it was quickly extinguished, smoke spread throughout much of the building, leaving a strong odour.

Justice department spokesperson Dave MacLean says a power supply battery bank for the building's emergency lights was the source of the fire, which is why there is a need for caution.

"If it had been a fire in a wastepaper basket we'd probably already be back in the courthouse, but given the substance that was in the fire [we're taking] an abundance of caution," he said.

MacLean said the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre will act as a "makeshift" courthouse for the rest of the week. Anyone with a scheduled appearance is directed to go to the Trade Centre, rather than the courthouse, at the appointed time.

In addition, those with payments to make must wait until things return to normal on Monday.

"Anyone that had a payment to be made for a provincial court fine, we won't be accepting those … no additional penalty if they pay next week," said MacLean.

He also says anyone planning to file legal papers at the courthouse this week must take their papers to the Service New Brunswick location at King's Square.