Loyalist prisoners in Northern Ireland's top security jail were being locked in their cells tonight after a riot during which 18 prison officers were injured.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage was caused when 35 loyalists went on the rampage in Maghaberry Prison outside Lisburn, Co Antrim, over night.
During a ten hour orgy of violence they smashed up snooker and table tennis tables to use as barricades.
It was the latest violence linked to demands for segregation from republicans.
Fires were started before they eventually gave up, some waving white handkerchiefs, as a team of officers prepared to move in to regain control.
Windows, cookers and microwaves were smashed in the wanton destruction, which left the inmates without heat, electricity or water supplies.
The Prison Service said tonight the men had been locked in their cells all day and would remain so for the time being. Meals were being delivered to the cells.
Heating and water supplies have been resumed and emergency lighting installed, said a spokeswoman.
Repair work was ongoing and there was no electricity for such things as cell-based TVs, she added.
A total of eighteen prison officers were injured - mostly suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation - and 15 of them reported sick and failed to go to work today.
Before the lock-up all the loyalist inmates were examined by prison medical staff and none were reported to have been injured, said the spokesman.
Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Paul Murphy faced demands in the House of Commons today to make an urgent statement to MPs on the disturbances in Maghaberry.
During business questions at Westminster, Democratic Unionist MP Mr Nigel Dodds said it was an issue of "utmost importance".
The North Belfast MP said the situation in the jail must "not be allowed to spiral out of control at a time of heightened concern for the security of prison officers.
"It is essential that the concerns of prison officers and their families are not ignored.
"With the potential for nationwide industrial action by prison officers, the government must recognise the urgency of these problems and immediately allow Members of Parliament the opportunity to raise issues of concern and have them addressed."
PA