The main building housing the cells and some 200 inmates was not affected. Several teams of firefighters are on site, coming from the barracks of Saint-Hubert, Marche, Paliseul, Bertrix and Neufchâteau. It’s very simple, the means deployed are simply enormous: three tanks, two auto-ladders, two pumpers, a logistics vehicle. Three officers coordinate everything.
The Semois and Lesse police zone as well as the mayor Pierre Henneaux also descended on the scene.
At this stage, no injuries or casualties have been reported.
By 8:30 p.m., the fire was being contained. There will be nothing left of the carpentry workshop. A huge loss for the semi-open detention center. Remember that the purpose of Saint-Hubert prison is to prepare prisoners for life outside prison. The activities of the detention center are, therefore, focused on reintegration and reparation, giving detainees the opportunity to work, follow activities inside and outside the establishment.
At this point, the cause of the fire is not known. Apparently no one was on the scene when the fire broke out.
