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Prison Fire Erupts: Inmates Evacuated in Suffolk
25 Apr
Summary
- A fire broke out at HMP Highpoint prison, prompting inmate evacuation.
- Fourteen fire appliances responded, later scaled back overnight.
- No injuries were reported among staff or prisoners.
A fire incident at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk necessitated the evacuation of inmates from a prison building. The blaze commenced on Friday afternoon, prompting a substantial response from the Suffolk fire service, which deployed 14 appliances. Crews from Cambridgeshire also provided assistance.
Firefighters tackled the fire in a timber and brick structure, utilizing thermal imaging cameras and jets to prevent its spread to an adjacent facility. By Saturday morning, the fire was successfully extinguished. The Prison Service confirmed that immediate action by staff ensured all personnel and prisoners were accounted for, with no reported injuries.
HMP Highpoint, a category C facility, accommodates approximately 1,300 inmates. Emergency services, including police and ambulance services, were present at the scene. An investigation into the cause of the fire is scheduled to commence.
