CLALLAM BAY — Firefighters raced to the Clallam Bay Corrections Center, and 130 inmates were evacuated, because of smoke late Wednesday night.
A PenCom dispatcher confirmed at about 9:30 p.m. that crews with Fire District 5, which serves Clallam Bay and Sekiu, were en route to the prison after a report of a possible fire.
“We have smoke at present. No fire,” said a prison official who identified himself as a Lt. K. McKenney.
“It appears to be that a belt caused smoke to come up through the vent,” he said.
He confirmed that 130 inmates, as well as correctional officers, had been evacuated.
At 10:30 p.m., fire department crews were checking the area, he said. If no fire was found, then inmates would be returned to the facility.
