Beaufort County Detention Center Fire Under Investigation | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    On March 12, 2025, at approximately 6:35 p.m. the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office 911 Center received a report of a fire in the Beaufort County Detention Center.

    Deputies were immediately dispatched from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office along with Washington Fire Department, Buyan Fire Department, Washington EMS, Beaufort County EMS, and Beaufort County Emergency Services. The North Carolina Highway Patrol and Washington Police Department responded to assist operations.

    Deputies arrived on scene immediately and extinguished the fire. Deputies and Detention Officers then began evacuating the facility, removing inmates to the back of the Beaufort County Courthouse, which was secured by law enforcement and Fire/EMS personnel. Emergency personnel provided a triage area behind the facility and checked several inmates who had pre-existing conditions. One inmate was transported by EMS to the hospital for evaluation due to a pre-existing condition and later released.

    Fire personnel ensured the fire was extinguished and provided equipment to evacuate the smoke from the facility.

    All inmates were transported to the Pitt County Detention Center. The inmates will remain in the Pitt County Detention Center until cleaning and restoration is complete. Family wanting to check the status of an inmate can contact the Beaufort County Detention Center at 252-946-7113.

    This incident is under investigation and a suspect has been identified. More information will be forthcoming at the conclusion of the investigation.

• Sheriff Scott Hammonds
•     Beaufort County Sheriff's Office