WINCHESTER, Tenn. -- The fire marshal in Franklin County has called the county’s historic courthouse a fire hazard.

A Winchester radio station reported that the fire marshal ordered an hourly check on the building for fire hazards.

The building was found to have no adequate exits in the event of a fire, and the nearly 70-year-old building also has no fire or smoke alarms, the fire marshal said.

He said trash and papers are stored in the attic of the building, and there may be some problems in the boiler room.

The hourly watch was ordered to keep county employees working in the building safe.

Deputy sheriff Charles Smith has been charged with the responsibility of making the checks and getting everyone out of the building if the cause arises.

“If there's smoke or fire, I blow this (air horn) to get everybody out as quick as I can," Smith said.

Every hour he walks the basement and three other floors making sure there's no sign of fire.

“The biggest problem with the courtroom is they have one way out. If there's a fire that blocks that exit, no one is getting out of the second floor," said Fire Marshal Richard Depenhart.

Franklin County Mayor Richard Stewart said the state has given him 60 days to make the building safe, but in the long run officials are hoping for a brand new justice center.

In the past, the state has closed jails and schools that have not taken adequate action to correct hazardous situations.