BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Whatcom County jail was flooded on Sunday after an inmate tampered with a sprinkler head.

Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater said an inmate was showering when a heavy flow of water overwhelmed the drains and flooded the entire first floor of the jail.

The water then seeped into the Sheriff’s Office administrative space located just below.

It penetrated parts of the space’s ceiling which caused damage to interview rooms, offices and electronic equipment.

The Bellingham Fire Department arrived and was able to turn off the main water line about 20 minutes later.

The flooding caused an estimated $5,000 in damage and that figure is growing.

Corrections Deputies learned that the flood started from a sprinkler head that was tampered with.

They have probable cause to charge the inmate responsible with malicious mischief first degree.

The Sheriff’s Office says flooding in that administrative space is an ongoing concern and numerous incidents have occurred due to broken pipes and inmate vandalism over the years.

Video footage of the flooding is available on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.