Fire officials were called to the Tipton Correctional Center Thursday, Dec. 10, around 4:20 p.m.
According to fire officials on the scene the smoke was first detected around 4:15 in the administration building. Prison officials indicated all nonessential personnel were rapidly evacuated while the situation was assessed.
Smoke was detected in the upper floor of the building which houses electrical and air handling equipment. A search of the area by fire officials found that some electronic equipment was smoldering. No structural damage was incurred and there were no injuries to any personnel or offenders. Normal operations resumed within a couple of hours.
The Tipton Fire Department responded within minutes and were the first at the scene. Unsure of what they were dealing with they requested back up from rural fire departments from Fortuna and Syracuse. All emergency personnel lined the entrance of the prison to enter if needed.
Tipton Correctional Center is located in the city of Tipton. Located on 40 acres within its perimeter, the initial construction was started in 1913. Total square footage of all buildings is 320,000 square feet. The custody level is minimum security.
Tipton Correctional Center is under the direction of Warden Douglas Prudden.