Flames erupted inside Haiti’s almost empty national penitentiary in Port-au-Prince on Thursday, adding to the chaos already engulfing the capital.
Live video of thick, black smoke billowing out from the prison was broadcast on national television.
A spokesperson for the national police confirmed to NBC News that there was a fire at the prison but offered no further comment.
It wasn’t immediately clear who started the blaze.
The poverty-stricken Caribbean nation is being rocked by social and political turmoil as unpopular Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced earlier this week that he’s stepping down.
Henry has been in Puerto Rico most of this month, leaving a power vacuum that multiple gangs and armed groups have been fighting over, including one being led by Jimmy Chérizier — a former police officer-turned-gangster who goes by the nickname “Barbeque.”
Henry has said he would resign and his government would dissolve once a transitional council had been set up.
The prime minister’s words stand in stark contrast to the scene of armed groups, roaming the streets of Port-au-Prince in recent days with little resistance from authorities.
Earlier this month, almost all the prisoners escaped from the now-burning prison when gunmen stormed the facility.
The United Nations said Thursday it will soon send humanitarian supplies to Haiti through the neighboring Dominican Republic.
While civil unrest plagues the capital city, it’s been relatively calm about 130 miles north in Labadee, a popular vacation spot and cruise ship port of call.
Despite that peace, Royal Caribbean Cruises said Thursday it’ll temporarily steer clear of that destination.
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