At least two people were killed in an explosion Wednesday night at the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Facility on West Leonard Street. About 150 people were reportedly injured in the incident.
The apparent natural gas explosion caused a partial building collapse about 11:25 p.m.
Both of the fatalities were reported to be inmates. Their names have not been released pending notification of next of kin. Three inmates have been reported as missing.
The dozens of injured included both inmates and correctional officers. The injured were taken to Baptist, Sacred Heart, West Florida and Navy hospital in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze hospital and the Santa Rosa Medical Center in Milton. Those that were not critical were transported by bus, while numerous ambulances transported the more serious victims. Many of the minor injuries were treated and released in under two hours.
Uninjured inmates were moved to other detention facilities in Escambia County and neighboring Santa Rosa County, according to an Escambia County spokesperson. About 600 prisoners were in the building at the time.
Immediate family only of inmates may call the Escambia County Citizen Information Line at (850) 471-6600 with the name of the inmate they are inquiring about and a contact number for their call to be returned. A phone call will be returned with status of the inmate and their whereabouts. Citizens are urged not to go to the jail.
Family members of jail employees can call (850) 554-1430 for more information. Family members of jail employees transported to Baptist or Gulf Breeze hospitals will be allowed to gather and receive information at the hospital emergency rooms.
Baptist Hospital reported receiving 50 patients, and Gulf Breeze Hospital received 31 — all with non life-threatening injuries.
People as far away as Molino and Gulf Breeze reported feeling or hearing the blast.
The explosion is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Escambia County Jail, including Central Booking and Detention Facility, are operated under the direction of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, not the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff David Morgan relinquished control of the jail to the BOCC last October.