The Madison County jail is closed after an electrical fire broke out Sunday morning. Madison County Sheriff Buddy Harwood said officials received a call about smoke in the detention facility at 9:36 a.m. According to the Sheriff’s office a motor in one of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units caught fire. There is mainly smoke damage that was mostly in te duct work. Around 80 inmates were immediately evacuated and family members were notified of the situation. Multiple agencies responded to the fire, including fire departments from Mars Hill, Marshall and Jupiter. The fire was quickly contained. Harwood says 65 inmates were transferred to the Buncombe County Detention Center and juvenile inmates were transferred to an undisclosed location.
The sheriff says he hopes the jail will be able to reopen within a couple of days.
