Increased security after prison fire in Antigua

Police and soldiers have been called on to boost security at Antigua’s sole prison after a fire that damaged a cell block.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Friday April 8, 2011 – Members of the Defence and Police Forces have been called out to provide additional security at the country’s lone prison until repairs to a cell block damaged in an early morning fire yesterday are complete.

No one was injured but there was some damage to the two-storey cell block that houses inmates on remand.

It was there the fire started, just after midnight, and was contained by fire officials.

“They (inmates) were immediately moved in an orderly fashion to the chapel for their safety. The fire caused some damage to the ceiling and roof of the building,” said a statement from the Ministry of National Security.

“The Public Works Department has assessed the damage and has started repairs. It is expected that the damage will be repaired in a day or two.” 

The statement, which was issued early in the afternoon, said that “a state of normalcy” had returned to the prison by then.

National Security Minister Dr Errol Cort visited the prison after the blaze, as well as Fire Chief, Assistant Commissioner Sylvester Jackson and personnel from the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police Force. 

The police and fire officials are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

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