Five sent to hospital after fire at Mississippi jail

Published 6:05 am Sunday, September 1, 2024

Five people were taken to the hospital after a fire at a Mississippi jail Friday night.

WTVA in Tupelo reports that multiple firefighters and first responders rushed to the Lowndes County Jail in Columbus shortly before 10 p.m. Friday after a fire started there.

The fire is believed to have been deliberately set by an inmate housed at the jail.

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Two inmates were taken to the hospital, one for possible smoke inhalation and the other for minor burns. They were both treated and taken back to the detention center.

Three deputies were taken to the hospital for possible smoke inhalation. All are expected to recover fully.

The fire displaced nine inmates and is under investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

The extent of damage to the jail has not been estimated, according to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.