Nebraska inmate died after setting fire in cell at Tecumseh prison, officials say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – An inmate died Thursday in a fire at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, officials say.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said 27-year-old Jesse Spencer was one of five inmates who set fires inside their cells.

Staff responded immediately, the department said, and three inmates were escorted out.  But Spencer and another inmate refused to get out, according to officials.

Staff went in to retrieve them and found Spencer lying in his cell.  They tried saving his life, but he was pronounced dead.

The fire was put out by the time local fire crews arrived.  No other inmates required medical attention, officials said.

Spencer was serving a sentence for several charges, including second-degree assault and terroristic threats.

Tecumseh is on modified operations while the death is investigated, officials said.

A grand jury will also conduct an investigation, as is the case whenever an inmate dies.