A series of intentionally set fires inside a state prison unfolded in rapid succession Sunday, sending multiple officers to the hospital and exposing ongoing safety concerns inside correctional facilities.
Three separate fires were ignited within about an hour at Marcy Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison, prompting an emergency response from staff and National Guard personnel assigned to the site.
The first fire was reported around 3:20 p.m. when heavy smoke was seen coming from a cell block. Officers responding to the scene found flames burning inside a cell, fueled by a mattress and other issued items. An initial attempt to extinguish the fire with a handheld extinguisher failed, forcing responders to deploy a fire hose to bring the blaze under control.
The inmate was located in an attached recreation area, taken into custody and brought to the facility infirmary for evaluation.
Roughly 40 minutes later, a second fire broke out in a nearby cell in the same block. Staff quickly extinguished the flames and removed the inmate without incident. About 20 minutes after that, a third fire was reported, again requiring the use of a fire hose and ventilation efforts to clear smoke from the area.
In total, eight correction officers were transported to Rome and Wynn hospitals for treatment of suspected smoke inhalation, while three National Guardsmen were treated on-site. One sergeant also suffered hip and back injuries during the response and was treated at Wynn Hospital.
All inmates involved were evaluated at the facility’s infirmary following the incidents.
Officials said fires set inside prison cells present significant risks to staff, particularly due to limited firefighting equipment and the difficulty of quickly ventilating smoke from enclosed housing units. Exposure to toxic smoke can also carry long-term health consequences.
Union officials also pointed to broader policy concerns, arguing that current disciplinary frameworks have reduced deterrents for inmate behavior that puts staff at risk.
The incidents remain under review.
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