Authorities are investigating a string of events that triggered a nearly two hour disturbance and fire at the Lincoln Corrections Center Friday night.
Facility officials say it began at around 7:30 p.m. at the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center and that inmates set fire in a housing unit. It was "fully contained" by 9:15.
Corrections officials say one staff member was assaulted but there were no serious injuries and all inmates had been secured.
The facility, located at 3220 W. Van Dorn Street, was on lockdown as the incident unfolded. Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes says "the affected unit houses indivdiuals with multiple adult felony incarcerations, who have violated parole, who are typicallly violent, aggressive and/or predatory. The actions taken by these individuals put themselves and others in danger, thankfully there were no serious injuries", Frakes said.
Lincoln Fire & Rescue, Nebraska State Patrol, and Nebraska Department of Correctional Services emergency teams responded to the scene. The state fire marshal will investigate the fire and there is no word on the extent of the damages.