A section of the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in downtown Kingston, where convicted murderer Vybz Kartel is being held, was destroyed by fire yesterday.

The fire, which began minutes before midday, gutted the George Davis Centre — the section of the facility that houses more than 18 mentally challenged prisoners.According to Jamaica Fire Brigade Senior Deputy Superintendent and Public Relations Officer Emelio Ebanks, firefighters responded to a call at 11:58 am. He said units from York Park, Rollington Town and Trench Town fire stations responded.No inmate was reportedly injured in the blaze, but a release from the Department of Correctional Services said yesterday that a correctional officer “suffered mild smoke inhalation” as a result of the fire.The prisoners were subsequently relocated to an area of the prison that was not affected.When the

Jamaica Observer visited the maximum-security prison yesterday, smoke blanketed the area, shifting like ghosts through the small inner-city community of Southside.Despite the hazy atmosphere, the residents from surrounding communities gathered close to the perimeter fence of the prison as they speculated among themselves about what could have caused the fire.Security was beefed up, both inside and outside the institution, to prevent inmates from escaping.At another section of the facility, prisoners shouted through rectangular windows that they were okay.Meanwhile, relatives of inmates who were seen exiting motor vehicles with bags of groceries voiced their concerns.Salomi Willocks-Harrison told the

Observer that she was worried about her husband, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence.“Mi wah know wah a gwaan over there. Mi concerned,” Willocks Harris said.Noting that they shared three children, the woman said her husband has already served five years of his sentence.“Mi hope everything alright with everybody over there,” she said. “The ‘warder’ them should have everything under control.”Another relative, Sharon Brown, echoed her sentiments.“I want to know what is going on in there, what caused the fire. Mi pickney in there, mi nuh want him roast in there,” Brown said.Seemingly anxious, Brown said she wanted to know if they would allow her to visit him.State minister in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, told reporters outside the prison that relocation of the facility has always been a concern and that he has instructed a committee to see how the system can be improved.The cause of the fire and estimated loss have not yet been determined.