Fire started by prisoner in Whanganui Prison; assaults staff member

Fire services responded to an incident in Whanganui Prison involving a prisoner lighting a mattress in his cell on fire. Photo / NZME.

A Whanganui Prison staff member was reportedly assaulted by an inmate who started a fire in his cell by setting a mattress alight.

The prison’s general manager Reti Pearse said staff were alerted to the small fire about 8.30pm yesterday.

He said staff immediately went to remove the man from his cell during which a staff member was allegedly assaulted by the prisoner.

The prison worker required off-site medical assessment and attention, Pearse said.

They were recovering at home.

The prisoner was placed on directed segregation and will face internal charges.

The incident will also be referred to police.

Pearse said the fire had been contained to the prisoner’s cell.

“There was no structural damage to the prison and there was no threat to the wider security of the prison.”

Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Murray Dunbar said two Whanganui fire crews spent about an hour extinguishing the fire at the prison.

Department of Corrections said for operational security reasons they were not able to provide further information on how the prisoner started the fire.

“Safety is our top priority and staff respond immediately when smoke is detected.”

Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news. She began as a reporter in 2023.