An inmate is facing attempted murder charges after setting fire to his mattress at Overton County Justice Center.

According to Livingston Fire Department Chief Rocky Dial, firefighters were dispatched to the jail Saturday, Feb. 5 at approximately 10:30 p.m. to respond to an inmate who had reportedly set fire to a mattress in a cell. Dial said there was minor smoke damage to the cell and booking area, but that the fire was quickly snuffed. He said LFD firefighters “were probably there 30 to 40 minutes.”

According to Sheriff W.B. Melton, the inmate set the fire intentionally with a lighter he had somehow obtained.

“He handed a lighter over to us as we went into the cell,” Melton said, noting that the inmate was uncooperative when questioned about the lighter. Melton said the inmate was not allowed to have a lighter.

“Somebody either slipped a lighter in, or it was brought into the jail, let me put it this way,” Melton said, adding the inmate was “just trying to destroy something.”

Melton said the inmate was a male, but he preferred not to release the inmate’s name because “We’re going to charge him in criminal court. We’re going to get him for attempted murder,” he explained. “There was another guy in the cell with him. If we hadn’t got them out, they would’ve both been dead. That mattress didn’t put out nothing but a lot of black smoke.”

February Lunch Menus

The following is the school lunch menus for the remainder of February 2011:

* Thursday, 17th: Chili, grilled cheese, carrot sticks, peanut butter cup, crackers, fresh apples, milk.

* Friday, 18th: Pizza casserole, bread sticks, green beans, tossed salad, Mandarin oranges, milk.

* Tuesday, 22nd: Turkey and cheese sub, lettuce/tomato/banana peppers/pickles, Cajun fries, baked beans, fruit, milk.

* Wednesday, 23rd: Chicken on bun, lettuce, macaroni and cheese, peas, pears, milk.

* Thursday, 24th: Nachos w/beef and cheese, lettuce/tomato/banana peppers, French fries, corn, mixed fruit, milk.

* Friday, 25th: Chicken strips, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, fried apples, milk.

* Monday, 28th: Pizza, tossed salad, dressing French fries, fruit, milk.