BUFFALO, NY — A fire broke out in the electrical room of the Erie County Holding Center early Thursday morning, prompting a response from jail staff and the Buffalo Fire Department.
The fire started at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the facility’s electrical room, which is located on the ground floor.
Jail Management Division staff used portable fire extinguishers to battle the blaze until Buffalo Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene.
Firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 1:50 a.m.
About 10 minutes after the fire started, four incarcerated individuals were relocated to a different area of the facility as a precaution.
They have since been returned to their assigned housing unit.
There were no injuries to staff or incarcerated individuals.
Preliminary information suggests the fire started as the result of a mechanical malfunction, potentially a faulty coolant hose, during the test of a generator.
Sheriff John C. Garcia said jail staff worked quickly to keep incarcerated individuals, coworkers and the community safe.
Garcia said the incident should serve as a warning that the facility’s physical infrastructure needs to be addressed.
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office will work with Erie County Buildings & Grounds to study the issue.
