Portsmouth expects to close on the purchase of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail in September. But after a fire at the city jail displaced inmates and staff, the city's working to secure a temporary lease agreement that will allow it to continue to house inmates at the facility before then.
HRRJ put to use amid Portsmouth jail fire yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The fire broke out at 1:38 a.m. in the facility's basement and wasn't brought under control until 4:21 a.m. Smoke quickly filled the building, forcing the evacuation of all inmates to an undisclosed location.