2 hostages freed at Maine prison

(CNN) - A hostage situation at Maine State Prison ended Monday night with an inmate freeing his two hostages, authorities said.

The ordeal began about 2:30 p.m. Monday when inmate Michael Chasse took two people hostage at the prison in Warren, Maine, authorities said. Chasse freed the hostages Monday night "with minimal or no injury," they said.

"I'm thankful that the crisis has ended without loss of life," Governor John Baldacci said in a statement. "The Department of Corrections and State Police should be commended for their handling of a very dangerous situation."

The hostages were a prison staff member and an inmate, said Denise Lord, associate commissioner of the Department of Corrections.