NEWTON – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections report, lateTuesday night and early Wednesday morning, department staff and local fire department personnel responded to a fire at the Correctional Release Center, a minimum security facility adjacent to the Newton Correctional Facility. There were no injuries suffered in the incident.

Staff first discovered smoke coming from the facility’s laundry area at approximately 10:16 p.m., Tuesday, and fire emergency protocols were initiated. A call for assistance in containing the fire was answered by the Newton Fire Department, who was on the scene by 10:35-p.m., as the fire was becoming more severe in the laundry room. Soon after their arrival, fire crews from Monroe and Reasnor also responded to the scene to offer assistance. By 10:43 p.m., crews had began suppressing the fire.

While awaiting the fire department’s arrival, inmates were evacuated to a safe area of the facility. A head count was conducted and completed with all inmates accounted for by 11:03 p.m.

As of the latest report, the damage from the fire was contained to the laundry room. The severity of damage to the laundry room is still being assessed. While it appears the fire originated from a dryer, the department will investigate the cause of the fire and ensure all areas of the facility are safe for staff and inmates.