CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT News:

On Dec. 30, at approximately 4:50 p.m., an inmate housed at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility, Alternative Placement Area intentionally set a fire in his cell for the purposes of causing himself harm.

The Special Operations Response Team responded immediately to extinguish the fire and rescue the inmate. After the fire was extinguished and the inmate was rescued, the entire pod was evacuated.

One of the team’s first responders was treated and released from an area hospital for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

The inmate was cooperative and was transferred to the Mental Health Unit for evaluation and observation.

An investigation into the incident was conducted by officials at CNMCF. Based on the results of the investigation and the nature of the incident, the names of the inmate and officer will not be released at this time.