Blaze in Belmarsh Jail Cell Doused Before Firefighters Arrive
A fire broke out in a cell at His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh in Thamesmead, south-east London, late on Monday, July 17, 2023. The Category-A men’s prison saw an inmate set his cell on fire inside the punishment block.
Prison Staff Act Fast to Smother Flames
Staff spotted the blaze and called the London Fire Brigade just before midnight. Firefighters rushed to the scene, but prison officers had already put out the fire. No injuries were reported. As per protocol, the fire service was automatically alerted whenever any blaze occurs inside the prison.
“Staff quickly extinguished the cell fire. No one was injured, and the fire brigade was called,” a source at the prison confirmed.
The inmate responsible will face disciplinary action – he’s been placed on report and will likely face punishment.
Full Safety Sweep Done to Stop Rekindle Risk
Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to check for any remaining hotspots. Thanks to the swift teamwork between prison staff and the fire service, the fire was snuffed out without significant damage or harm.
Belmarsh: Toughest Security for High-Risk Prisoners
Belmarsh is a top-security Category-A prison housing some of the most dangerous inmates in the UK. It has tight security measures to keep order and protect both staff and prisoners.
Officials are investigating the fire to prevent future incidents and highlight the ongoing challenges prison staff face in maintaining safety and control inside correctional facilities.
