Nine inmates at a maximum security prison in western Sydney have been assessed by paramedics and at least one taken to hospital after a fire in a cell block.
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A spokeswoman for Corrective Services NSW said an inmate is believed to have set fire to a mattress in his cell at Parklea Correctional Centre at around 4pm.
"The inmate who is believed to have set fire to his mattress suffered minor smoke inhalation and has been transported to hospital," the spokeswoman said.
"A further eight inmates in the cell block were also medically assessed for minor smoke inhalation. One of these inmates may also be taken to hospital."
The Ambulance Service of NSW said they were called about 4:15pm with reports of a large fire.
Six prisoners were treated for smoke inhalation but there were no serious injuries, an ambulance spokeswoman said earlier.
Fire and Rescue NSW described the fire as "minor" and said it was in a prison cell, but had been extinguished by the time firefighters arrived.
The incident will be investigated by Corrective Services and the police.
"Any deliberate action by an inmate to damage prison property and endanger others health and safety will be dealt with appropriately," the Corrective Services spokeswoman said.
Parklea is operated privately by GEO Group Australia.
Update: An earlier report said six inmates had been taken to hospital.
