AN INMATE was rescued from a burning jail cell after a blaze broke out at a prison.

The prisoner was taken to hospital after a blaze broke out at HMP Lewes on Tuesday morning.

Four fire engines and an ambulance were sent to the prison at 8.49am.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire and rescued the prisoner from his cell.

The inmate was taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation, a Ministry of Justice spokesman confirmed.

A prison officer later admitted himself to A&E as a precaution but was eventually discharged.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said:

“Four engines were sent to an incident at 8.49am on Tuesday morning,” he said.

“Crews left the scene at 9.22am and handed the incident back to prison staff.”

A blaze at the prison in October last year had caused minor damage when it broke out in an inmate’s cell.

No one was injured in the incident last year.