MARCY, N.Y. — Eight correction officers and three National Guardsmen were treated for suspected smoke inhalation after three fires were deliberately set inside cells at Marcy Correctional Facility, according to union officials.
The fires broke out on April 26 inside the same cell block at the medium-security prison.
The first fire was reported around 3:20 p.m., when staff saw heavy black smoke coming from a cell block. When officers arrived, smoke and flames were visible through a cell door window, where a mattress and other inmate-issued items were burning, New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association said.
An officer first tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, but the flames continued. Staff then used a fire hose to bring the blaze under control. Afterward, recreation pens attached to the cells were opened to help ventilate the area.
Officers and National Guardsmen found the inmate sitting in the recreation pen. He was handcuffed, removed from the cell and taken to the infirmary for evaluation.
About 40 minutes later, staff responded to a second fire in a nearby cell in the same block. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the inmate was removed from the cell and taken to the infirmary without resistance.
A third fire was reported about 20 minutes later, again in the same cell block. Smoke and flames were visible through the cell door window before officers used a fire hose to extinguish the fire. The inmate was handcuffed and escorted to the infirmary for evaluation.
All responding staff members were initially treated by facility medical personnel. Eight officers were transported to Rome and Wynn hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation. Three National Guardsmen were treated at the facility. A sergeant also suffered hip and back injuries during the incidents and was treated at Wynn Hospital.
Bryan Hluska, Central Region vice president, said fires set inside cells create serious risks for responding staff.
“The safety of staff and their health are often put at risk in situations like this,” Hluska said. “The risks are compounded by the lack of proper firefighting equipment and the challenge of ventilating smoke quickly from the cell blocks. Staff can be exposed to dangerous chemicals in the smoke, which can have long-term respiratory effects.”
Hluska also criticized New York’s HALT legislation, saying it has removed meaningful consequences for this type of behavior.
“Additionally, many cells have a recreation area attached, and inmates have manipulated the doors to that area for years,” Hluska said. “They frequently exit into these pens during incidents, shielding themselves from the smoke while staff must enter the affected areas to respond.”
