HC Deb 24 June 1997 vol 296 c428W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the recent fire on HM prison, Weare. [4767]

Ms Joyce Quin

There was no fire on the Weare. On the morning of Thursday 12 June, staff on board the Weare saw smoke and immediately activated the fire alarms. Staff and contractors were quickly evacuated and the fire brigade called, no prisoners were on board the vessel. The fire brigade found no evidence of any fire and have classed this as a false alarm. Staff believe the smoke came from welding work flushed out when the air conditioning system was tested.

The smoke alarms were also activated in the evening of Tuesday 17 June. The ship was again quickly evacuated and the fire brigade called. The fire brigade found no fire and confirmed that the alarm had been activated because of smoke from welding work.