In a stunning turn of events, a fire broke out at the Philadelphia State Correctional Institution in Graterford yesterday, causing significant damage to the facility. The fire, which started in the cafeteria, required the evacuation of approximately 1,500 inmates and forced the prison to be placed on lockdown.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies quickly arrived at the scene to extinguish the flames and ensure the safety of all personnel involved. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the prisoners or staff during the evacuation process.
Fire Chief Mark Kane stated, “The fire was contained to the cafeteria area, but the smoke and water damage extended throughout the building. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.”
As a result of the fire, the prison will remain on lockdown until further notice as repairs are made to the damaged areas. Visitation and other activities at the facility have been temporarily suspended until the situation is resolved.
Officials are working diligently to assess the extent of the damage and develop a plan for reopening the prison for normal operations. In the meantime, the safety and security of the inmates and staff remain the top priority.