Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services responded to a fire inside of the W.C. “Dub” Brassell Adult Detention Center Tuesday afternoon after a detainee in a single-man cell unit set fire to legal documents within his cell.
Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. spoke with Deltaplex News following the fire saying it was started by detainee Josinnie Johnson, who has been in custody since April for aggravated robbery, theft be receiving, and other charges.
Woods said that officers have cleared the entire intake wing of the detention center out in order to allow the smoke to clear, and they will also work to determine exactly how Johnson started the fire.
Woods added that Johnson will have additional charges tacked on following the fire. He also added that Johnson has been an issue for jail staff since he was arrested by assaulting jail staff and other detainees, and he will do all he can to make sure Johnson remains confined to himself in order to keep him from harming staff, other detainees, or himself.
Woods said that there were no injuries, not even to Johnson. However, when paramedics attempted to check him out Johnson spat on a paramedic, according to Woods.
