City fire marshals on Friday were examining whether a Rikers Island jail’s fire suppression system worked properly in a blaze that injured five detainees and 15 Correction Department employees.
Flames erupted about 1:34 p.m. Thursday in a higher-security unit at Rikers’ North Infirmary Command, when a detainee set a blaze to protest a search operation that coincided with a surprise visit to the island by state legislators.
Of the five detainees injured in the blaze, two suffered serious burns. The injured Correction Department staffers were mostly injured by smoke inhalation.
Correction sources said the fire suppression system in the North Infirmary Command was installed in 2018, and features recessed sprinkler heads which are supposed to pop out and spray water when triggered by significant heat or smoke.
The system was also supposed to automatically trigger warning strobe lights throughout the facility, and transmit a signal to a central fire safety desk.
But on Thursday, the sources said, the sprinklers failed to come on and the strobes didn’t function. One source, lawyer MK Kaishian, said she heard from a client in the unit a hiss came from the sprinkler system, but no water came out.
Correction staff used a fire extinguisher on the blaze — and then when that didn’t work, they had to wait for the Fire Department to stretch a hose into the unit to put out the fire, which took until 2:13 p.m.
Some detainees had dumped water on the unit’s floor to protest the search of their cells, Kaishian said. They tried to splash the water on the flames, to no effect, Kaishian said.
Meanwhile, correction officials failed to enact the “buddy” system, where able-bodied detainees assist those with medical issues out of the building, said sources.
The breakdowns caused a haphazard, chaotic evacuation. “It was just everybody saying let me out and officers and staff saying let me out,” one correction source said.
“There’s a lot of questions that need to be asked,” said the source. “The No. 1 question is who ordered the search of the facility. If your fire suppression is not working, it is a major hazard.”
Correction officials did not respond to several requests for comment. The FDNY declined to comment, saying the investigation was ongoing.
“Correction‘s response is that they’ll pursue rearrest. Not investigating the conditions that allowed this to occur, not apologizing to the families of staff/detainees for failing to keep their loved ones safe,” tweeted Dana Wax, former Correction Department chief of staff during the de Blasio administration.
“No, their solution is more jail.”
Thursday morning began as normal at the North Infirmary Command — but the Correction Department soon got word that nine state legislators were on their way to Rikers on a surprise visit.
A Correction Department official — sources were not sure who — then ordered a search of the North Infirmary Command unit that continued through Thursday morning.
At least one of the legislators requested to visit the unit because it has been described as an grim unofficial solitary confinement area with the nickname, “The Kennel.”
Around 1 p.m., a second search and confiscation of items in the unit was ordered and under way. At that point, the detainees balked at more of their possessions being seized, and the fire broke out.
One of the legislators, Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (D-Brooklyn), said she intended to visit the jail as part of the unannounced visit, but was not allowed inside.
“The Us.Mistertruth story certainly raises concerns about the timing of the reported contraband search, which appears to have coincided with our arrival,” said Walker, who announced she will be on hunger strike as Gov. Hochul pushes changes to bail in the budget.
“I look forward to hearing the Correction Department’s explanation.”