PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – The Portsmouth jail is now empty. Over 150 men and women Portsmouth inmates are now at the former Hampton Roads Regional Jail, Portsmouth Sheriff Michael Moore confirmed.

On Sunday morning, a fire started in a tool room in the basement, Moore said. The smoke quickly traveled up the elevator shaft and filled the eight floors of the jail with people still inside. No one was hurt among the inmates and deputies. 

Deputy Chief Julian Williamson with Portsmouth Fire Rescue confirmed one firefighter was taken to the hospital to be evaluated.

“The biggest thing was getting the fire out and then also simultaneously evacuating those inmates to remove them from any danger,” said Williamson.

Moore called this his worst nightmare as the jail is over 50 years old and starting to “deteriorate pretty quickly.”

“You can never really practice for anything like this,” Moore said. “Real time makes a difference, and everyone [came] together and it went smoothly.”

Over the weekend, retired Portsmouth Building and Code Official Douglas Smith reached out to WAVY. Smith served in the role for 13 years.

Smith explained that city leaders had a complete assessment done by third party companies regarding the city jail condition. The results of the assessments informed Smith’s decision to condemn the Portsmouth jail.

“The fire protection systems were inoperable and were a major concern,” Smith said. “My sole purpose was the life safety of the inhabitants of the building.”

The former City Manager Dr. Lydia Pettis Patton was informed of the need to condemn the building in July 2019. 

“Time kind of exposed the issues that we brought up at the time,” Smith said. “I was worried that the items hadn’t been addressed. I know some of the items were addressed, but certainly not all of them. I was really thinking that we dodged a bullet there. Then, I’m happy that no one was seriously injured and that the fire department was able to respond so quickly.”

RELATED: Jail to stay open for now, judge allows condemnation of all other Portsmouth civic center buildings

Later that year, Moore sued the city and was successful with keeping the jail open. Moore sharing a statement with WAVY. 

“Prior to me being elected the fire suppression system was inoperable for 12 years,” said Moore. “The entire system was replaced by court order.”

Moore added the city purchased a new fire suppression system in the basement for about $300,000 following a Judge’s order.

Looking Ahead

Moore is hopeful city leaders will work to keep inmates at the old Hampton Roads Regional Jail location, after the Memorial Day weekend fire.

Moore said he spent Tuesday in meetings with city leaders discussing options moving forward, while deputies have been helping inmates call their families to update them on their condition and location. 

The sprinkler system caused some water damage to the seventh and eighth floors of the waterfront jail building, Moore explained.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to go back to the city jail unless all of the issues that we noted are resolved,” Smith said. “I know that some of them were, however, some of them haven’t been. I think that if the regional jail is a better option and it’s a safer building … that’s where the inmates should stay.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.