Scores of staff were forced to evacuate a major Government building yesterday after a toxic fumes scare.

Workmen laying asphalt near an air-conditioning unit triggered the alert that closed all offices at Global House for the day from about 10 a.m.

Firefighters and the building supervisor carried out a safety check when complaints were made about a strong petrol smell filling the Church Street site.

Safety experts then decided to close Global House for the rest of the day to allow the fumes to escape from the five-storey building. A spokeswoman for the DCI said: ?The problem arose after workmen were laying asphalt near the building?s ground level air conditioning unit.?

She confirmed nobody was injured and that the emergency evacuation of staff was ?very orderly?.

The spokeswoman added: ?The fumes were very petroleum-based and they got stronger and stronger.? Several Government departments are located in Global House, including the Attorney General?s chambers, the Department of Communication and Information, the Department of Tourism and the Department of Public Prosecutions.

Up to 200 civil servants are believed to be based at the site.

Government apologised for any inconvenience yesterday?s closure caused and said Global House was due to re-open today.

Meetings planned for yesterday would be rearranged.

Asphalt is a tar-like substance that comes from the same crude oil which produces gasoline.

Popular as a sealant for roof tops, it is also a durable surface for roads, runways and parking lots.

However, sulphur fumes released during the asphalt heating process can be hazardous to workers and unpleasant for passers-by.