Firefighters rushed to a prison in Suffolk after a blaze erupted on Friday afternoon in a prison block. Thirteen appliances were dispatched to HMP Highpoint after Suffolk County Council received reports of a fire at 2.40pm on April 24.

The correctional facility is a category C men's prison which houses 1,300 inmates. Firefighters have said that as well as extreme heat, the complex internal layout and and difficult access add further challenges to the operation. The fire was located in a large timber-and-brick structure, measuring approximately 25m by 100m, with the timber elements likely to have fuelled the blaze. Staff had already evacuated by the time firefighters arrived, with all prisoners accounted for and safely relocated. 11 crews were sent to the prison at Stradishall, along with with two additional crews from Cambridgeshire. The fire was well alight when crews arrived, who were using thermal image cameras alongside hose reels and jets to stop the blaze from spreading.

According to the East Anglian times, they are now using six jets to tackle the blaze and prevent it spreading to an adjacent building, which measures 80m by 20m.

Sudbury Firestation has posted on its Facebook page urging people to keep away due to what it describes as a "large fire".

The fire chief at Suffolk Fire and Rescue reportedly gave the word for operation to be sectorised - a tactic which is used firefighters for tackling larger fires.

A spokesperson added: "This helps firefighters maintain control, improve safety, streamline communication, and ensure the incident is managed effectively as it grows and evolves.

"As well as extreme heat, firefighters are faced with the additional challenge of difficult access and a complex internal layout."

Crews from Bury St Edmunds, Clare, Haverhill, Ipswich East, Ixworth, Long Melford, Newmarket, Sudbury and Woodbridge have all been sent to the scene.

According to the East Anglian Times, welfare facilities for firefighters have been established and provided by the Prison Service.

The East of England Ambulance Service said no casualties had been reported, but crews would remain at the scene to support firefighters.

Officers from Suffolk Police are also at the scene assisting.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A fire broke out at HMP Highpoint on Friday afternoon and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service are in attendance.