Prison reformers have slammed Chelmsford jail for failing to evacuate a prisoner after fire broke out in his cell, leaving him inside the smoke-logged room until firefighters arrived.

Instead of opening the door, the single prison guard on duty in F block put out the blaze himself by poking a hose through a hole.

When Chelmsford firefighters arrived they needed breathing apparatus to vent the cell and escorted the prisoner, who was standing near a window, to safety outside.

Station Officer Graeme Williams, of Chelmsford fire station, confirmed: "Three fire engines and an aerial platform attended the incident in the early hours of Friday morning.

"Although no-one was injured, campaigners believe the incident has highlighted dangers inherent in an over-stressed prison system which, they say is massively overcrowded and facing serious staff shortages.

Chelmsford prison is currently 20 per cent over capacity, with 563 prisoners instead of the 442 the prison is designed to take.

Claire McCarthy, policy and campaigns officer for the Howard League for penal reform, said prisons such as Chelmsford bore the brunt of the increased numbers in custody.

She said: ''When there is any kind of incident it puts everything at full stretch. If the fire officers felt it necessary to wear breathing apparatus there was obviously some concern that the smoke could be toxic.

Mike Poselay, acting prison governor, said the one officer on duty represented the full complement of staff.

He said: "The prisoner was in the cell and the fire was put out using an inundation point. The prisoner was safe and not in any danger. A nurse was present but no medical attention was required."

Mr Poselay denied that the prison officer on duty had been scared to release the prisoner - on remand facing charges of robbery.

The report indicated that proper procedures had been followed.

Published Thursday, June 5, 2003

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