A prisoner allegedly set fire to his own cell at Forest Bank.
The blaze was put out quickly and no one was injured, a spokesman for the Category B men's prison in Salford said.
The fire happened on Tuesday (May 19).
The incident has now been referred to police, prison bosses said.
HMP Forest Bank is a private prison run by Sodexo Justice Services on Agecroft Rd in Pendlebury.
It has capacity for 1,460 prisoners.
A spokesperson for the prison said: “A prisoner started a small fire in his cell on Tuesday, May 19.
"The fire was extinguished quickly. No-one was injured. The incident has been referred to the police.”
GMP has been contacted for comment.
