BALTIMORE — At least two dozen inmates suffered non-life threatening injuries Sunday night after multiple fires were intentionally set in the Maryland Reception, Diagnostic and Classification Center (MRDCC).
At around 7:40 p.m., Baltimore City Fire Department arrived to MRDCC, which is located at 550 East Madison Street, for a building fire.
Upon their arrival, correctional officers reported a fire on the 5th floor of the detention center and were evacuating inmates from the housing unit. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke conditions and were able to extinguish the fire within minutes.
A total of 28 people were treated for minor smoke inhalation, while three inmates and one correctional officer were transported to local hospitals for evaluation.
Due to the detention center being a state facility, the Office of the State Fire Marshal took the lead in the origin and cause investigation.
Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded that a total of three fires were intentionally set in the common area of the tier. The items included paper products, clothing, and a heavy-duty plastic rolling food cart. While investigators were investigating the fire, inmates on a separate tier set two more fires, including clothing and a food cart.
Baltimore City firefighters were assisting investigators and quickly extinguished the fire.
#BREAKING A team of Deputy State Fire Marshals are responding to the @MDPublicSafety Baltimore City Jail for a fire inside the facility. Investigators will work with @BaltimoreFire determining the origin & cause of the fire. This is an active investigation. We will update ASAP
— Maryland State Fire Marshal (@MarylandOSFM) January 3, 2022
The Baltimore Fire Union said medical ambulance buses were called from other counties across the state.
