Dozens of prisoners were evacuated from a prison in Noord-Holland for a time on Wednesday night after fire broke out in a first floor cell.

The cell’s inmate was taken to hospital with unknown injuries and it is unclear how the fire started, news agency ANP said.

Some 46 prisoners were taken to a nearby sports centre while the fire was put out. In total, 14 ambulances and an air ambulance were at the scene and 22 prisoners were treated after inhaling smoke.

The Zwaag prison in Hoorn has capacity for 324 prisoners and dates from 1989.