DANVILLE (KFSM) — The Yell County Sheriff’s Department is working toward returning inmates to the Danville Jail after a fire occurred at the facility on Saturday evening (Oct. 17), according to a release.
One inmate was seriously injured from smoke inhalation and remains hospitalized, and three inmates and four employees were treated and released from smoke inhalation, according to a press release from Sheriff Bill Gilkey.
Chief Deputy John Foster stated the facility had just successfully undergone a state jail inspection last week, according to the release.
12 inmates were being housed at the time of the fire. Foster stated that “based on the initial investigation, the fire is believed to have been deliberately set inside a cell area by an inmate using contraband items to ignite the blaze.”
The damages were consisted mainly of smoke damage, with little effect on the jail structure, the release stated.
Gilkey announced the Arkansas State Police would investigate the incident and turn its findings to prosecuting attorney Tom Tatum III for a determination on possible criminal charges.
