Jefferson County deputies, the Pine Bluff Police Department, and the Pine Bluff Fire Department responded to a call on July 5th at approximately 9:43 p.m. regarding a possible fire at the W.C. “Dub” Brassell Detention Center.
The shift supervisor at the detention center had received a call from Metropolitan Emergency Communication Association (MECA) stating that someone had reported a fire at the detention center and the Pine Bluff Fire Department had been notified. Deputies conducted a security check in which they found smoke in the day-room area of the A Pod.
Detainees were removed from the pod while officials conducted a search to ensure their safety. While conducting a walk-through to determine the cause of the incident, deputies noticed ashes in three sinks in the shower area. The Pine Bluff Police Department along with the Pine Bluff Fire Department determined there was no fire. The smoke came from burned plastic. An emergency count was conducted to ensure all detainees were accounted for. There were no injuries and the pod was determined safe to use.
Before the detainees returned to their cells, a search of their person was conducted. During the search, contraband in the form of cellphones, tobacco, a pack of cigarettes, a lighter, a white substance later identified as sugar inside of two clear plastic sandwich bags, and a screwdriver was collected and given to Sergeant Fred Green of the Tri-County Drug Task Force.
