A fire has broken out in a prison block. Upon first crews' arrival, staff had already evacuated the building and relocated occupants to a safe location. Prison staff have confirmed that all persons have been accounted for.
Firefighters are currently using breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet, one covering jet and a thermal image camera to tackle the blaze, which is well developed.
The officer in command has given an instruction for the fire to be sectorised, which is a tactic deployed by firefighters when tackling larger fires – the fire is effectively split into sections, with crews assigned to each section. This helps firefighters maintain control, improve safety, streamline communication, and ensure the incident is managed effectively as it grows and evolves.
As well as extreme heat, firefighters are faced with the additional challenge of difficult access and a complex internal layout.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service colleagues are on their way to assist those already on scene.
The block is a timber and brick structure measuring approximately 25m x 100m.
Update (4:01pm 24.4.26)
Resources currently on scene include:
- A command support vehicle from Ixworth
- General purpose fire engines (water rescue ladders) from Haverhill, Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Long Melford, Sudbury and Woodbridge)
- A compressed water tender (smaller than a standard appliance, augments and supports initial appliances) from Clare
- Enhanced rescue tenders (fire engines carrying enhanced rescue equipment) from Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket
Crews are now using six covering jets to tackle the blaze and prevent it from spreading to an adjacent building, measuring 80m x 20m.
Welfare facilities for firefighters have been established and provided by the Prison Service.
Update (6.45pm 24.4.26)
There are now 14 appliances on site from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (plus specialist command and support units) and three appliances from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, which includes an aerial ladder platform.
Firefighting has been established within four sectors with firefighters using the following equipment:
- Sector 1 - 9m ladder and a hose reel jet with fog spike (a small, portable firefighting lance used to apply water - usually as a fine spray or mist - inside concealed or enclosed spaces without fully opening them up)
- Sector 2 - aerial ladder platform to gain access to the roof and one hose reel jet
- Sector 3 - one hose reel jet
- Sector 4 - turntable ladder to gain access to the roof and one hose reel jet
Safety officers have been established in each sector.
The East of England Ambulance Service has confirmed that there are currently no casualties but they, along with the police, are remaining on scene to provide support if required.
Update (6:52 24.4.26)
Sector 1 now closed down, and relief crews are starting to arrive on scene.
Update (9:41pm 24/4/26)
Fire fighting continues in and around the roof space.
Update (10:40pm 24/4/26)
Good progress being made in all sectors. The Aerial Ladder Platform and Turntable ladder still in use to help fight the fire.
Update (1:42am 25/4/26)
Crews remain at the incident, which has been re-sectorised to help with the deployment of crews. Sector 1 now has the aerial ladder platform being used, three hose reel jets with a fog spike. Two 9-meter ladders are in use along with thermal imaging cameras to investigate hot spots within void spaces in the building.
Update (2:46am 25/4/26)
A number of holes have been made into the structure where hot spots were identified, giving firefighters better access. Six engines now on site, with four hose reel jets in use with fog spike attachment. Progress is being made, but this remains a difficult fire to fight.
Update (4:00am 25/4/26)
Good progress is being made fighting this fire, with hot spotting continuing.
Update (5:08am 25/4/26)
Specialist teams now at the incident to assist with creating larger holes in the structure to check for fire spread. Two engines now on site with three hose reel jets now in use.
Update (7:28am 25/4/26)
A stop to this incident was called at 7:28am on Saturday 25 April 2026. A fire investigation will begin later today. A small number of firefighters will remain on site to continue dampening down hot spots.
There will be no further updates to this incident.
