Prison evacuated after fire in cell

Prisoners were evacuated from a wing in the prison in Zwaag, Noord-Holland after a fire broke out in one of the cells during the early hours of Thursday morning. The prisoner staying in the cell where the fire started, was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries, ANP reports.

The fire started in a cell in wing C. It did not spread to surrounding cells, but did cause a lot of smoke. Firefighters extinguished the fire in the early morning.

A total of 46 prisoners were evacuated and collected in a sports hall in the prison complex. Police officers are present to keep an eye on them. Ambulance staff treated 22 people for smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is unknown. The fire department is investigating.