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NewsScottish NewsPrison cell blaze sparks firefighter call-out

Prison cell blaze sparks firefighter call-out

The fire broke out at Edinburgh's Saughton prison

A PRISONER caused 15 firefighters and three fire trucks to be called out to a Scots prison last night after he set a towel on fire in his cell yesterday (Sat).

A communications vehicle with three more fire service staff was also called to the blaze at Edinburgh’s Saughton prison at 10.47pm yesterday evening.

A 58-year-old prisoner, understood to be resident in the cell where the blaze started, suffered smoke inhalation from the flaming towel.

He did not require hospital treatment, and was left in the care of the prison authorities, the fire service said.

The fire crews, from Sighthill and Tollcross, were at the scene for a round an hour, though the fire was extinguished before they arrived.

Two fire engines, a cherry picker and a communications vehicle were all called to the scene.

A Lothian and Borders Fire Service spokeswoman said: “There was a fire in a cell, a prisoner had set fire to a towel.

“The fire was extinguished prior to arrival.”

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