Local law enforcement partners assist with Highland County Jail evacuation

At 12:37 p.m., a possible fire was reported in the jail at the Highland County Justice Center. Inmates were immediately evacuated to another secure area of the facility. 

All Highland County Fire/EMS agencies, on-duty deputies and officers from the Hillsboro Police Department and Lynchburg Police Department were dispatched to the scene. 

Corrections officers reported visible smoke and smell of smoke in one of the pods. 

Upon arrival of law enforcement and Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District, it was discovered that the source of the smoke was a contractor working on a rooftop heating and air unit. The fire department cleared the entire facility to ensure that it was safe for the inmates to return to their pods.  

No injuries were reported, and the jail returned to normal operation at 2 p.m. 

Highland County Sheriff Randy Sanders would like to thank all responding agencies for their assistance with this incident.

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