Monday night's fire in Maghaberry prison, Co Antrim, has been linked to rising tensions within the jail based on accusations by loyalist prisoners that republican inmates are receiving preferential treatment from the prison authorities.
In recent months loyalist prisoners have been campaigning to be awarded political status by the prison authorities. They are also demanding separate accommodation from republican prisoners.
To date, the North's prison service has refused both loyalist demands. However, loyalist prisoners allege that because of their campaign they are being subjected to "victimisation and abuse, endorsed by senior prison management".
"Monday night's incident is an indication of what is to come inside Maghaberry," said a spokesperson for the loyalist prisoners. "Prison staff have removed flags, emblems and personal items from loyalist cells. They taunt the prisoners, swearing and cursing at them, trying to provoke them. It's only a matter of time before serious violence erupts."
A spokesperson for the North's prison service rejected the allegations that loyalist prisoners were being victimised by prison staff.