WESTOVER, Md. — A small fire broke out Wednesday afternoon at the Eastern Correctional Institute in Somerset County, prompting the temporary relocation of 20 inmates, according to officials.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:42 p.m. in a cell on Bravo Tier within Housing Unit 5 of the state detention facility, located at 30420 Revells Neck Road. Correctional officers quickly discovered and contained the fire within five minutes, officials reported.
According to an investigation notice, the fire was classified as incendiary in nature after an inmate ignited combustibles within the cell. Smoke alarms were activated, but the facility’s sprinkler system did not deploy due to the small size of the fire.
No injuries or significant structural damage were reported, though the estimated loss of contents was $15. All 20 relocated inmates were examined by Eastern Correctional Institute’s medical staff and returned to their cells once the smoke cleared.
Authorities indicated that no arrests have been made, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.