Spread of fatal fire due to water being cut

Prisoner Basil Morgan on the stand testifying before the CoI yesterday. From left (rear): Commissioner Dale Erskine, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry Justice James Patterson, and Commissioner Merle Mendonca. From left (front): President of the Bar Association Christopher Ram and Commission Counsel Excellence Dazzell.

Murder accused Basil Morgan yesterday said that the spread of the fire which led to the death of 17 inmates at the Camp Street prison could have been the result of water being cut from the facilities by prison officials.

Morgan, when questioned by Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Chairman Justice James Patterson about the reason why he would place the responsibility on the prison staff, stated that they are the only persons in the position to turn off the pipes to the entire building.

He further testified that prisoners had perished in the bathroom on the day in question, after attempts to