A fire broke out in a prison cell at HMP Winchester this afternoon, resulting in an inmate receiving medical treatment. Emergency services were called to the scene on Romsey Road after the blaze started in a cell located on B wing.
Three fire engines were dispatched to the prison, including one from Winchester and two from nearby Eastleigh. In addition, five ambulances arrived, featuring a hazardous area response team (HART) to provide specialised support. The South Central Ambulance Service received the initial call at 3:02pm from the fire service reporting the cell fire.
Contrary to social media rumours suggesting a full-scale riot and multiple cell fires, officials confirmed that only one cell was affected. The prisoner was quickly evacuated from the cell and is now under the care of the prison’s healthcare team.
“We sent our hazardous area response team and several vehicles along with ambulance officers,” confirmed South Central Ambulance Service. “The inmate is currently being treated.”
A Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokesman stated that their team attended the incident from 3pm and left shortly after 4:15pm. They added, “We do not give out further details about why we are at the prison.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
