Published • loading... • Updated
How fire inspectors keep a 135-year-old state prison safe
Inspectors visit more than 150 facilities a year as they check sprinklers, microwaves and fixtures for tampering at the state prison.
- On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Minnesota Deputy State Fire Marshal Kerry Queen, Larry Gannon, and Fire Safety Supervisor Travis Ahrens conducted the annual inspection at Minnesota Correctional Facility-St. Cloud.
- Queen estimates that they visit more than 150 facilities a year, including MCF-St. Cloud, which has a history spanning more than 135 years.
- Inspectors focused on high-priority areas like the kitchen and laundry room, where staff now air-dry mop heads to prevent self-combustion from collected oil and grease.
- Gannon noted recessed sprinkler heads prevent inmate tampering, and the team ensured medical oxygen canisters are properly labeled and secured to avoid fire intensification.
- Despite the facility's age, very few large fires have occurred; Safety Director Ben Drilling noted staff are trained to prevent incidents following historical damage of more than $40,000.
Insights by Ground AI
13 Articles
13 Articles
Duluth News Tribune+12 Reposted by 12 other sources
How fire inspectors keep a 135-year-old state prison safe
ST. CLOUD — As deputy state fire marshals, Larry Gannon and Kerry Queen walk through Minnesota Correctional Facility-St. Cloud each year for a mandatory inspection, their eyes scanning from the ceiling to the floor and everywhere in between. Along with Fire Safety Supervisor Travis Ahrens and prison leadership, they are responsible for inspecting 11 Department of Corrections-owned facilities, and all facilities the commissioner of corrections is…
·Cherokee County, United States
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left0Leaning Right8Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Right
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources lean Right
73% Right
C 27%
R 73%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
