Fire Reported at Pickett County Jail

Pickett County Executive Richard Daniels confirmed a fire at the Pickett County Jail.

Daniels said the fire started in a wall sometime this morning.

The fire broke out around 7 o’clock this morning between a cage and a wall.

Daniels said, minimal damage occurred and the cause is unknown at this time. Jail officials and inmates evacuated the building and remain outside the building as crews continue to montior the scene.

In 2015, the State Fire Marshall’s Office put the Pickett County Jail on fire watch due to many safety concerns. Fire watch designation requires the Pickett County Jail to reduce its inmate population and for jail offical to check for smoke every thirty minutes on a daily basis.

Daniels said the State Fire Marshall’s Office will send officals to the scene to investigate.