State Watch

Four hospitalized after fires at Baltimore jail

Four people have been transported to the hospital after inmates allegedly set a Baltimore jail on fire on Sunday night.

On Monday, Deputy State Fire Marshals were investigating three “intentionally set fires” that occurred Sunday night and were “quickly extinguished” at the Maryland Reception, Diagnostic and Classification Center, according to a statement from the state’s fire marshal.

Around 7:40 p.m on Sunday, Baltimore firefighters responded to the fire when correctional officers reported the blaze in the detention center and were evacuating inmates from the site. 

As a result of the fire, three inmates and one correctional officer went to hospitals for evaluation, and 28 other people were treated for minor smoke inhalation, the fire marshal’s office added. 

“Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded that a total of three fires were intentionally set in the common area of the tier,” Maryland’s Fire Marshal said, per the statement.

The office noted that “paper products, clothing, and a heavy-duty plastic rolling food cart” were used to start the fire. 

“While investigators were investigating the fire, inmates on a separate tier set two more fires,” the statement added. 

The investigation into the fires will continue, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal will work with the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office to determine relevant charges.