Two prison employees were killed and several others injured in an incident this afternoon at Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City.
Around 3 p.m., inmates started a fire in the prison's specialty sewing plant, where about 30 inmates work for Correction Enterprises producing embroidered logo items, safety vests and other sewn items. The fire was extinguished. After the fire was set, several inmates attempted to escape but were not successful.
The prison is under control and locked down, with all inmates accounted for in multiple counts. Members of the Prison Emergency Response Team responded to Pasquotank CI from other state prison facilities and are assisting the local prison staff.
Pasquotank Correctional Institution currently houses 725 male inmates in close, medium and minimum custody.
The Pasquotank County Sheriff's Department, along with the State Bureau of Investigation, are investigating the incident.