MORE than 30 firefighters were called to Channings Wood Prison outside Newton Abbot this afternoon to deal with at least two ‘incidents.’

Five pumps and the hydraulic platform from Torquay rushed to the Denbury jail after fires had been reported inside and outside the building.

The disruption, reported just after midday, came on a day of protest by prison officers against levels of violence in British jails.

It’s not yet known whether the fires at Channings Wood were connected with any such protest.

A response is awaited by the Ministry of Justice.

It’s thought the substantial response from the Devon and Somerset brigade was prompted by the proximity of a rubbish blaze just outside the prison property. It’s understood crews were also called to deal with a suspected blaze in a cell - but this was found to be out by the time they arrived at the scene.

It’s believed prison staff did not require police assistance.

But it later emerged that firefighters may have notified police of concerns about a ‘situation’ developing at the prison.