KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tax Administration Jamaica’s office on King Street in downtown Kingston temporarily closed on Thursday after a strong, unexplained odour forced employees to leave the building.

Director of Communications Merris Haughton told Observer Online that staff noticed the smell when they arrived for work Thursday morning.

Haughton said while she could not confirm, based on what she had been advised the odor was caused by an animal that had died in the area.

The smell was immediately apparent when Observer Online arrived around 10:30 am to find employees sitting outside, across from the building in question while the Urban Development Commission (UDC), which owns the building, completed a walkthrough of the property.

“There is a scent in the building, persons are uncomfortable with the scent, but management is sorting it out by getting an assessment to find out the source,” one employee who did not wish to be identified explained.

The smell was reportedly strongest on the ground floor, where cashiers assist members of the public.

Haughton said management decided to close the office temporarily out of caution while officials assessed whether there were any health risks. The building reopened shortly before midday.