Shorthanded guards at Walton jail were left handling riotous prisoners after colleagues walked out over health and safety fears.
Three fire engines and an ambulance were called to an incident involving a number of inmates within the category B prison who had set their quilts alight.
Staff at HMP Walton walked out over claims a culture of ‘harassment and bullying’ by senior managers has left them demoralised in their work.
Prison guards at twenty jails nationwide showed their support to staff at Walton by joining the walk out.
On the picket line, Union Leader Steve Baines, Area Representative for Prison Officers Association said: "We've managed to negotiate a meeting with the governer this afternoon.
"Which should take place at around 3pm.
"I wholeheartedly hope that we will be able to reach a resolution because the staff here are all eager to get back to work.
"We are very conscious of the safety of our colleagues who are vulnerable while the prison is run with skeleton staff.
"It is absolutely vital for everybody's safety that normal order is restored as soon as possible.
"However, we need absolute assurances that the bullying culture of senior staff which has been in place here at HMP Liverpool comes to an immediate end and that all staff are able to go about their jobs professionally and with confidence.
"We are confident that with resolution the 200 prison officers on strike should be back in work by later this afternoon. (WED)
"We are prison officers and take our job very seriously, we do not want to be stood outside a minute longer than necessary.
"As soon as the staff here have the assurances they require their colleagues at prisons across the country will also return to their posts."
Police remain on the scene throughout the afternoon and staff in the prison are on high alert.
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