Fire at Kentucky prison displaces more than 100 inmates
More than 100 inmates will be moved to other prisons after a mechanical fire at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in West Liberty on Friday.
There were no injuries as a result of the fire at the medium security prison, Gov. Andy Beshear told the Associated Press.
The AP reported that about 500 inmates were temporarily moved to a gymnasium on the grounds of the Morgan County facility in the immediate aftermath of the fire.
The Kentucky Department of Corrections said later Friday night that damage from the fire was still being assessed, but that inmates living in three of the four wings of the affected dormitories would be able to return to their dorms.
One wing of the dorms had electrical damage, so 108 inmates will be temporarily moved to other prisons, according to corrections department spokeswoman Lisa Lamb.
She said the department will provide information about the inmates’ new housing arrangements after they are moved. The names of the inmates to be moved and a phone number where family members can get more information will be posted on the department’s website Monday, she said.
The prison’s website says it has a population of 1,938 inmates.
This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 11:06 PM.
