Eight corrections officers and three National Guard members were treated for smoke inhalation after a series of fires set at Marcy Correctional Facility, according to a statement from law enforcement.
On April 26, law enforcement said three fires were deliberately set by inmates within an hour of each other at Marcy Correctional Facility, resulting in the 11 individuals being treated for suspected smoke inhalation. The series of fires occurred in quick succession, requiring immediate and coordinated response from facility staff.
The first fire was reported at 3:20 p.m. when a large amount of black smoke was observed in one of the cell blocks. Upon arrival, staff discovered smoke and flames visible through the cell door window, with a mattress and other inmate-issued items burning inside. Initially, one officer attempted to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher but was unsuccessful. A fire hose was then deployed to control the blaze.
After the fire was put out, the attached recreation pens were opened to ventilate the area. Officers and National Guardsmen entered the cell and found the inmate sitting in the recreation pen. The inmate was handcuffed, escorted out of the cell, and transported to the infirmary for evaluation.
Around 40 minutes later, law enforcement says a second fire was reported in a nearby cell within the same block. Staff responded swiftly and quickly extinguished the flames. As before, the recreation pens were opened for ventilation, and the inmate was removed from the cell and brought to the infirmary without resistance.
A third fire was reported 20 minutes later, again within the same cell block. Smoke and flames were visible through the cell door window. Officers quickly used the fire hose to extinguish the fire, ventilated the area, and extracted the inmate from the cell. The inmate was handcuffed and escorted to the infirmary for evaluation.
All responding staff were initially treated by medical personnel at the facility. Eight officers were transported to Rome and Wynn Hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation, while three National Guardsmen were treated on-site. Additionally, one sergeant sustained hip and back injuries during the incidents and was treated at Wynn Hospital.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: 11 treated for smoke inhalation at Marcy Correctional
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
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