Fire, Lockdown at SCI Dallas

By Rory Sweeney, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader

Apr. 10–JACKSON TWP. — Seven employees of the State Correctional Institution in Dallas were taken to the hospital after a fire around 1 p.m. Sunday caused a lockdown of all inmates.

The fire began in a cell in the second floor of the Restricted Housing Unit. It was contained to that floor, and all 46 inmates were evacuated to another part of the facility.

Jackson Township volunteer Fire Co. Chief Dan Manzoni said he was told the seven employees were being treated for smoke inhalation. There were no injuries to inmates reported.

The fire was extinguished at about 1:20 p.m. by the institution’s Fire Emergency Response Team and other staff members.

No outside fire departments were dispatched. In fact, Manzoni said he tried to report to the scene, but was not allowed beyond the gates. Several ambulances were dispatched, however.

“They wouldn’t let me in the prison. They said they had it under control and they had no need for fire (responders),” Manzoni said.

A news release said the lockdown was likely to be lifted within hours, but it was unknown last night if that occurred.

Rory Sweeney, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7418.

—–

Copyright (c) 2006, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.