Smoke From Rubbish Fire Fills Jail

Burning rubbish and debris was placed inside a ventilation system duct at the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center Sunday afternoon, sending a large amount of smoke wafting through several levels of the high-rise jail building downtown, San Diego fire officials reported.

Fire Capt. William Middleton said there were no injuries to inmates but the incident presented some problems for jail officials because smoke was blown through several stories of the complex. He said the burning material had been placed inside a duct on the 8th floor.

“Other than that, it was a relatively small fire and easy to contain,” Middleton said.

The fire was reported about 2:30 p.m., he said. Because the location was a high-rise, 24-story structure, the Fire Department sent a large number of units to the scene, including eight engine companies, four truck companies, a rescue rig, three battalion chiefs and one division chief.

Jail officials declined to comment on the incident.