Marcos Alcaraz died after a fire broke out in his cell at Eastern Correctional Facility in upstate New York on July 18, prompting questions from his family and fellow inmates about the circumstances surrounding his death and the prison’s response. Alcaraz, 35, was pronounced dead at a hospital following the incident, which authorities have ruled a suicide.

According to five inmates housed nearby, Alcaraz repeatedly called for help as flames engulfed his cell on row 14 of the south hall block. “I’m on fire!” he shouted, according to the inmates, who also raised alarms to alert prison staff. However, they said the guards’ response was slow and ineffective, with some officers struggling to access Alcaraz’s cell due to locked circuit breakers and difficulty operating firefighting equipment.

Despite the inmates’ calls, the fire continued to burn, leaving Alcaraz with third-degree burns covering nearly his entire body, as stated in an autopsy report released by the Ulster County Medical Examiner’s Office on September 9. The report attributed his death to self-immolation by setting himself on a lit mattress, but did not elaborate on the underlying causes or circumstances leading to the incident.

The family disputes the suicide determination and has criticized the prison’s handling of the fire. Francheska Alcaraz, Marcos’s sister, said the family was initially told he died of natural causes and is demanding a thorough investigation into what caused the fire and why help was delayed. “You can’t tell me it is suicide without the full investigation,” she said.

The family’s attorney, David B. Rankin, described the situation as “unconscionable” and called for the immediate closure of Eastern Correctional Facility, citing broader concerns about the facility’s ability to house inmates safely amid ongoing staffing challenges.

Inmates who witnessed the fire described chaotic scenes. One, Dario Wynerman, said he was awakened by shouts of “Fire! Fire!” shortly after 1 a.m. Others recalled guards initially telling prisoners to stop calling for help and difficulty gaining access to the burning cell. Attempts to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher and a hose were reportedly hampered by operational issues. During the event, inmates reported smoke inhalation and subsequent health problems, with some complaining of chest pains and coughing, though they say medical attention has been insufficient.

Following the incident, prison officials placed a sergeant on administrative leave for actions taken after the fire, while four other officers were also placed on leave for unrelated reasons. The corrections department declined to comment on the details of the investigation, which is ongoing and involves the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the state attorney general’s office, and State Police.

One inmate, Theodore Johnson, who spoke out publicly about conditions after the fire, was later placed in solitary confinement on allegedly fabricated disciplinary charges. The corrections department disputed claims of retaliation, citing body camera footage that they said showed Johnson had harassed staff and disobeyed orders.

Alcaraz was serving a sentence of up to 24 years for a 2014 manslaughter conviction, with a projected early release date in 2031. His family says he had been planning for his future and expressed hope shortly before his death.

The tragedy at Eastern Correctional Facility highlights ongoing concerns about prison safety, emergency response protocols, and inmate healthcare, as well as the transparency of investigations into deaths behind bars.