On
October 7, 2012 around 9:23 PM a fire was detected in a cell inside the
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Detention Center. The fire was quickly put
out by detention center personnel. There was minimal damage to one cell that
housed three inmates and there were no injuries to any inmates or detention
center personnel. The preliminary report to the media shortly after the
incident occurred indicated that the possible source of the fire was inmates
using matches that had set a trash can on fire. However, after a complete
investigation into this incident it is believed that the fire was started in a
vent in the cell by an inmate that was using a "wick". A wick is described as
tightly rolled up toilet paper that an inmate will light on fire, usually by
utilizing a smoking coil located on the recreation yard. The inmate then takes
the "wick" back to their cell to use to light a cigarette during the time
they are
confined to their cell. The "wick" is hidden in the air vent in the cell and may
sometimes fall back into the duct work and ignite material in the duct work. A
"wick" is contraband and when discovered is confiscated by detention center
personnel.
The
three inmates in the cell at the time of the fire, Steven Gilstrap, James Hayes
and Benjamin Williams have been placed in lockdown in another part of the
detention center. From the time the fire was reported at 9:23 PM until 12:30 AM
this morning the detention center was on lockdown. The lockdown has since been
lifted and normal daily operations have resumed. Investigators have spoke with
each of the three inmates and none of them claim to know who or how the fire
started. At this time no charges have been filed against anyone in connection
with this fire. The Investigation into this fire is ongoing.
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