Farm board room this weekend.

Fire Department Divisional Officer Mr. Melvin Outerbridge yesterday said the blaze was caused by an electrical fault in an old kitchen area of the cottage which was used by prison officials as a meeting room.

While the cost of the damage has not yet been officially released, Mr.

Outerbridge estimated it would take between $75,000 and $80,000 to repair the damaged roof and walls.

The fire, which was reported just before 9 p.m. on Saturday, took just over two hours to extinguish.

On Sunday, Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Harry Soares confirmed no prisoners were evacuated since the cottage was located some distance from the main prison facility at Ferry Reach. He added that no one was injured in the fire.

Mr. Soares also said expressed "bitter disappointment'' at not being immediately notified of the fire and promised to find out why.