Fire in Bruges prison: inmate sets mattress ablaze, 3 staff members hospitalized

A fire erupted in Bruges prison late yesterday evening, forcing the evacuation of around 30 inmates. The incident began around 11 p.m. when a prisoner set his mattress on fire, creating significant smoke in the ward.

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The man had only been in the Bruges prison for a few days.

Three staff members and the inmate responsible for starting the fire were transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The staff members were released shortly after, while the inmate, who had only been in the Bruges prison for a few days, was admitted for the night.

Prison spokesperson Kathleen Van De Vijver stated that the inmate is not known for arson, but the prison service will screen him to assess for any potential psychiatric issues. The inmate had reportedly gathered a large quantity of flammable materials in his cell.

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He is not known as an arsonist.

Firefighters quickly contained the blaze, and inmates were able to return to their cells about an hour later. The cell sustained significant damage and has been sealed off pending an investigation by a fire expert.

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We are going to screen the inmate and see if there is a psychiatric problem.