At around 2:30 a.m. Friday, a fire was discovered at the TDCJ Huntsville unit.
Huntsville Unit, which holds over 1,600 prisoners, is responsible for every execution in the state of Texas. The fire, which was spewing from the west building, caused an immediate evacuation of 655 inmates.
Multiple agencies including; the Huntsville Fire Department, Montgomery County ESD 1, Walker County ESD 2, Crabb’s Prairie Volunteer Fire Department, Riverside Volunteer Fire Department, and Dodge Volunteer Fire Department were called for assistance.
As a result of the damage to the building, the decision was made to transfer 400 inmates to other facilities across the state.
Authorities say no inmates or staff members were injured or exposed to the fire. An investigation into what caused the fire has been launched.
