A fire broke out at the Cochise County jail due to an equipment malfunction early Friday morning, authorities reported. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office revealed that a door motor in the facility's loading area sparked the blaze at around 9:19 am, causing a significant amount of toxic smoke. Quick action by detention staff and the Bisbee Fire Department, who adhered to emergency procedures, prevented the incident from escalating and ensured the safety of inmates and personnel.
During the incident, the jail was locked down for a comprehensive sweep of the affected zones. Initially, three kitchen workers, two inmates, and a Detention Officer suffered from injuries related to smoke inhalation and other minor harms. Following the incident, six additional staff members reported suffering from the smoke's effects, as confirmed in a statement by the Sheriff's Office. Maintenance personnel and fire investigators have identified an electrical fault in the door motor mechanism as the cause.
Repair efforts are already in motion, with the compromised area temporarily off-limits pending safety inspections. However, Sheriff Mark Dannels pointed to a history of fundamental issues with the jail, which has been in operation since 1985. In a statement obtained by Cochise County's official website, Dannels emphasized that "Maintenance isn’t modernization and we are well past the point where temporary repairs can meet permanent needs." He further stressed that prolonged underfunding has left critical problems unaddressed and the jail in desperate need of modernization to safely carry out its functions.
The urgency of upgrading the facility has been echoed by Commander Kenny Bradshaw, who acknowledged ongoing maintenance challenges posed by the aging infrastructure. "This incident underscores the urgent need to address the aging systems within our jail," Bradshaw stated, as he underscored the cooperation with county officials in pursuit of sustainable safety solutions for occupants and the surrounding community. The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to securing the long-term improvement and modernization of the jail’s infrastructure, despite current constraints.
