Inmates at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley used makeshift weapons to destroy a housing unit Monday during a riot, the Department of Corrections reports.

Authorities say a fight broke out between two inmates in one of the housing units Monday and conditions escalated quickly when corrections officers, responding to the fight, tried to return inmates to their cells

According to the Department of Corrections, the physical altercation broke out Monday between two high-ranking members of a security threat group in the general population of the prison.

"While officers were attempting to secure approximately 46 inmates in their cells, another physical altercation started in the unit between two separate inmates," the department said in a statement. "One of the inmates was able to be restrained and escorted from the unit and the remaining inmates were actively resisting being secured in their cells."

Officials then made the decision to pull corrections officers from the unit and call in a crisis negotiator.

When corrections officers left, however, inmates reportedly began trashing the housing unit.

"Sprinkler heads were broken off, camera systems were destroyed, the computer system in the unit was destroyed along with extensive damage to much of the remaining parts of the unit," the statement said. "Inmates utilized fire extinguishers and other makeshift weapons in order to destroy furnishings, windows, etc."

At 7 p.m., members of the special operations unit deployed pepper spray on the inmates to secure the facility, the department reported. Inmates were then searched for weapons and examined by medical staff.

There were no injuries of staff or inmates reported.

Authorities say inmates involved will be moved to various units throughout the agency while an investigation is conducted.