HOLLIDAYSBURG — A faulty belt in an air handler on the roof of the Blair County Prison caused smoke to enter the building, prompting Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department to deploy to the building late Wednesday night, according to Commissioner David Kessling.

The damaged belt caused the unit to overheat and eventually burn internally, allowing the smoke to enter the housing area of the prison, Kessling said.

At the time, prison staff were involved in a “use of force matter” with a noncompliant inmate and unable to respond to the smoke immediately.

The 911 call that triggered the fire department response was made by the family of an inmate who were told by the inmate that “the prison is on fire,” Kessling said.

Once they reached the building, firefighters quickly identified the air handler as the source of the smoke and addressed the situation.

The belt has since been repaired and there are no ongoing concerns regarding the air quality within the prison, Kessling said.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.