DeKalb County Jail inmates remained at other facilities Thursday, one day after an electrical fire caused damaged and knocked out the power, Sheriff Brady Thomas said.

The fire was in an electric panel, which cut electricity to the whole facility. The jail has a backup generator, but it is powered by the same electric panel where the fire started, leaving the equipment inoperable.

Inmates were taken to surrounding jails in Noble, LaGrange and Steuben counties, Thomas said in an email.

Power was restored about 7 p.m. Wednesday, about eight hours after the fire, but the heating system and elevator remained out of operation. As of 1 p.m. Thursday, the heat was restored, and professionals were working on the elevator.

A restoration company also worked on cleanup and odor remediation Thursd

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