Fire crews called to Mississippi County Detention Center

A fire was reported at the Mississippi County Jail in Charleston at 11:18 a.m. Friday, prompting the evacuation of prisoners and jail personnel. According to Charleston Department of Public Safety Director Robert Hearnes, the fire began in an air-conditioning unit and was not intentionally set. In addition to Charleston DPS, also arriving on the scene in case the fire spread or prisoners needed to be transported to other facilities were officers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Scott County Sheriff's Department and Sikeston Department of Public Safety. "Everything worked out OK and everyone is safe," Hearnes noted. Prisoners were returned to their cells at approximately 12:30 p.m.