A fire in the laundry room at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center late Thursday prompted the evacuation of multiple female inmates.
No injuries were reported from the fire that originated in one of the jail’s commercial dryers and quickly spread, damaging a second dryer and other nearby areas, noted the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in a news release. The fire was first noticed at about 8 p.m.
“Detention Center Sergeant Chad Dodaro responded immediately, utilizing a nearby fire extinguisher to help suppress the flames until the Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department arrived,” noted the news release. “The building’s sprinkler system activated during the incident, helping to contain the blaze, though it also contributed to water damage in the affected area.”
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Women incarcerated in an adjacent inmate pod were evacuated and more personnel were brought in to establish a perimeter at the jail to ensure security, noted the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office said all inmates are secured, but no information was immediately provided on how many inmates were evacuated.
“The Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department swiftly extinguished the fire, ventilated the area using industrial fans, and confirmed the source of the fire was likely kitchen towels that retained cleaning chemicals and small amounts of grease,” noted RCSO. “Due to the elevated temperatures produced by industrial dryers, which are significantly larger and hotter than household models, the materials ignited and caused the fire.”
A fire was reported on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center in Augusta, Georgia.
Cleanup efforts are currently underway.
“The quick thinking and brave actions of Sergeant Dodaro, the fast response of our firefighters, and the commitment of our deputies ensured that this incident was handled swiftly and safely,” said Sheriff Eugene Brantley.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Fire at Charles B. Webster Detention Center in Augusta, Richmond County
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