Inmates evacuated after huge fire breaks out in Suffolk prison
The blaze at HMP Highpoint in Stradishall is so big that crews have had to work in sections to try and control it
A fire has broken out in a prison block at HMP Highpoint in Stradishall, Suffolk, prompting a huge response from fire stations across the region.
The incident was reported at 2:40pm today, and upon arrival, fire crews found that prison staff had successfully evacuated the building and relocated occupants to a safe location.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that all persons had been accounted for after the initial evacuation.
Firefighters from Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich East, Ixworth, Clare, Newmarket, Long Melford, Sudbury, Woodbridge, Haverhill, and Mildenhall attended the scene, tackling the well-developed blaze with breathing apparatus, hose reel jets, and thermal imaging cameras.
The officer in command instructed the fire to be sectorised, a tactic used to divide larger fires into sections for better management.
Crews are facing extreme heat, challenging access, and a complex internal layout within the timber and brick structure.
As of the latest update at 4:01pm, resources on scene include a command support vehicle from Ixworth, general purpose fire engines from various stations, a compressed water tender from Clare, and enhanced rescue tenders from Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket.
Firefighters are now employing six covering jets to prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby building.
The Prison Service has established welfare facilities for firefighters on site to support their efforts.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service colleagues are en route to assist the teams already on scene.
The situation continues to evolve as crews manage the fire and take measures to ensure safety.
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