PENDLETON, Ind. (WTHR) - A morning fire in Pendleton had people scrambling, about 1,700 of them at the Pendleton Correctional Facility.
Fire broke out at the state prison facility at 8:15 a.m. They had to evacuate staff and prisoners from the immediate area.
The alarm actually sounded in the facility's treatment center next to the auto body shop.
"Four minutes later we evacuated offenders and staff. Now this treatment center is really a meeting place, not having beds or materials, so shortly after they were removed, firefighters showed up and did our emergency count where we did make sure our offenders were accounted for, staff accounted for. The fire was under control in 45 minutes or so," said Ike Randolph, DOC's communications director.
Still pictures provided by the Department of Correction show just how devastating the fire was. The structure was leveled.
One staff person and three firefighters were injured battling the blaze. Two were treated and released at the scene, one firefighter and one maintenance worker were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
"Special thanks to Warden Dushon Zatecky and his staff," Randolph added. "They were able to make sure everyone was evacuated safely and orderly. When you have 1,700 prisoners in a maximum security prison, you have to make sure to account for staff."
Two elementary schools and a high school in the area were notified of the fire as a precaution.