Firefighters called to blaze at Forest Bank prison as smoke seen coming from cell windows
11.05.2024 - 23:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Firefighters were scrambled to Forest Bank prison to tackle a blaze tonight. Residents living near the jail have described smoke coming from the cell windows.
Three fire engines were dispatched to the privately-run prison in Agecroft just after 6pm on Saturday. There are no reports of any injuries.
Firefighters spent about 30 minutes at the jail, which is operated by facilities management giant Sodexo on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.
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Residents called the Manchester Evening News tonight to report smoke was issuing from at least two cell windows. When we approached Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service for a comment, a spokesman said: "Just after 6pm this evening (Saturday 11th May) three fire engines from Salford Central and Agecroft fire station attended an incident on Agecroft Road, Pendlebury.
"Firefighters were in attendance for around thirty minutes."
The jail has been beset by problems. In April last year, an M.E.N. investigation uncovered allegations of widespread drug use and inmates who 'run the wings', prompting an MP and Salford's mayor to write to the government to demand an 'urgent' review.
Our revelations included a call from Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long-Bailey for the Ministry of Justice to cancel the billion pound contract it has with Sodexo to run the jail.
Our investigation, based on allegations from a whistle-blower, an ex-prisoner and his father, and the family of a grandfather who died in his cell, exposed what Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long-Bailey branded a 'culture of lawlessness' at the jail.
The M.E.N. revealed that:
Sodexo's contract to run the prison ends on January 19, 2025. Back in