ANGOLA, La. (AP) — Fire early Tuesday destroyed a woodshop work area and damaged a dormitory at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.
The fire started about 1 a.m. in the workshop next to Camp D Eagle 4 dorm, the state Department of Public Safety and Corrections said in a news release.
The prison's Volunteer Fire Department and West Feliciana Fire Department battled the blaze for 40 minutes before extinguishing it. The department said inmate fire safety training and staff response are being credited for the safe evacuation of all 94 prisoners in the dorm and 194 inmates from nearby dorms.
“Because the prison is so far out in the country, if it were not for them this fire could have been much worse,” Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc said. "I’d like to also thank the inmates for participating in monthly fire drills, this proves why it is so important to be prepared.”
There were no injuries to inmates or staff.
The camp's seven other dorms and two cellblocks were not impacted by the fire.
The displaced inmates have been relocated to the chapel at Camp D.
The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating to determine the cause of the blaze.