Prisoner sets cell on fire at PI Vught
A prisoner at the Penitentiary Institution (PI) Vught set fire to his cell Friday evening, prompting prison staff to take him to a hospital for a precautionary medical check, according to the Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI).
The fire was discovered shortly before 6:30 p.m. Prison staff managed to extinguish the blaze before firefighters needed to intervene.
Three fire engines from the fire stations in Cromvoirt and Helvoirt were deployed. The fire service arrived with a fire engine, a water tanker, and an officer in charge. Firefighters did not need to extinguish the fire but carried out a follow-up inspection and ventilated the cell, a DJI spokesperson said.
Police also responded to PI Vught with several vehicles. Three police cars remained outside the prison gate, and two entered the facility. According to the DJI spokesperson, police immediately recorded a report of suspected arson.
The prisoner appeared to be unharmed, the spokesperson said, but was taken by ambulance to the hospital as a precaution. A vehicle from the Transport and Support Service (DV&O) also then drove him back to the prison.
