Inmates moved during small fire at prison

COLUMBUS, Ga. - A small fire at the Jack T. Rutledge State Prison prompted inmates to be moved to another part of the facility while crews put out the fire.

An officer noticed smoke coming from an air handling unit that controls circulation between dormitories around 3 p.m. Sunday, Capt. Derrick Hall said.

Prison guards moved inmates to the prison's gym while firefighters put out the fire in the unit.

There were no injuries or complaints of smoke inhalation, Hall said. Hall said there was some visible smoke damage to a wall and pipes.

An initial investigation found that an inmate had thrown away a lit cigarette next to some cardboard boxes, Hall said.

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Information from: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, http://www.ledger-enquirer.com