ATLANTA — An inmate was charged with first-degree arson after the sheriff's office said he intentionally set a fire inside the Fulton County Jail on Saturday.
The sheriff's office said 15 detainees were safely relocated to another housing zone inside the Rice Street jail. Staff at the jail extinguished the blaze, but Atlanta Fire and Rescue firefighters came and made sure the fire was put out entirely.
None of the inmates were injured.
The accused inmate was charged with first-degree arson and interference with government property. Inside the jail, he is charged with contributing to an unsafe environment, damage to jail property, interfering with security operations and arson.
“I am proud of the women and men of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office for their dedication and ability to maintain order under challenging circumstances. The safety and security of the detainees in our care and custody is a top priority,” Fulton County Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat said.
Charles Rambo, a retired lieutenant commander with the Fulton County Sheriff's Office said he's dealt with fires in the jail.
"The issue of starting a fire, of course, comes from the sources that you have. Things can be smuggled in. Inmates also are very resourceful," he said.
He said he hopes Fulton County can move forward to building a new jail, saying it's "desperately needed."
"But we also need to ensure that we have law and order inside of that jail," he said.
11Alive is not naming the inmate as his charges do not meet our standards for being identified.