SUNBURY – The Northumberland County Prison has been destroyed by fire. Flames ripped through the building on 2nd Street just after 2:00p.m. Wednesday. There was a large response to the 4-alarm fire, as the over 208 inmates were also escorted out and taken to the county’s administration center and a local church. Inmates were then bused to other prisons.
Fifty volunteer fire companies were involved in the fight, either actively, or on a standby capacity. Just before 4:00p.m., an evacuation tone sounded, signifying that all involved in the fight inside were to get out and that the building is a total loss.
State Representative Lynda Schlegal-Culver (R-108, Sunbury) contacted the secretary of the state Department of Corrections, and an emergency plan was put in place to take inmates to alternative locations. Male inmates were sent to the State Correctional Institute in Coal Township, while female inmates were sent to Muncy State Prison.
All three Northumberland County Commissioners were on the scene and said the days of occupying the prison are over. The commissioners will meet Thursday to discuss the future of a new Northumberland County Prison.
Emergency crews remain on the scene and caution is advised in the area. The extensive investigation will continue into what caused the fire at the Northumberland County Prison. We will continue to have more information as it becomes available. (WKOK Staff)