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Inmates were reported to be rioting, and a fire, believed to have been set by convicts, was being battled in the bakery at the Fort Saskatchewan provincial jail.

H.J. Wilson, deputy attorney-general, said he had called the RCMP to assist in bringing the situation under control.

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The trouble was believed to have broken out about just after noon when prisoners working in the bakery started a disturbance, the Journal reported. Fire engines from the Town of Fort Saskatchewan, 32 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, were rushed to fight the fire, which at press time was believed to be under control.

About 50 RCMP officers in 10 cars from Edmonton were reported speeding toward the provincial jail, carrying armed officers equipped with smoke and tear gas. RCMP had told Wilson, however, that they believed the situation was under control.

Normally, the jail houses 300 prisoners, men and women.

The last reported disturbance at the jail was in October 1950, when there was a brief sit-down strike started by what officials said was a “couple of young punks wanting to raise trouble.”