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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">May 26, 2022</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Clayton Farr, Jr.
<br />Assistant Fire Chief
<br />Columbia Fire Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7557
<br />Clayton.Farr@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia Fire Department rescues four from residential structure fire in the 400 block of North College Avenue</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;">On Thursday, May 26 at 10:24 a.m., the Columbia Fire Department was called to respond to the 400 block of North College Avenue for a reported residential structure fire. Fire crews received reports of a fire in a residential building with people and animals possibly trapped inside.</p>
<p>The first fire crew arrived three minutes later and observed no exterior fire or smoke from a three-story residence which had been converted to an apartment building. The crew deployed a preconnected hose line and initiated a rapid evaluation of the structure when they observed smoke from a second-floor apartment. They forced entry to the apartment and quickly located the seat of the fire in a bedroom, utilizing the hose line for extinguishment. No occupants were found in the fire apartment.</p>
<p>As additional personnel and equipment arrived, fire crews began search and rescue operations in the apartments on the two remaining levels. Crews also established a water supply from a nearby fire hydrant. </p>
<p>During search and rescue operations, crews encountered one adult and three children in the third floor apartment which had begun to fill with smoke from the fire below; fire crews evacuated the children and escorted the adult to the exterior of the building. They were not injured and refused additional emergency care. Crews also rescued one feline and one gecko from the fire apartment. They were provided care until reunited with their owner.</p>
<p>The fire was brought under control in approximately 10 minutes.</p>
<p>Columbia fire marshals were called to perform an origin and cause investigation. The fire originated in an animal heating pad in a bedroom and the cause is ruled as accidental. Damage is estimated at $2,000.</p>
<p>Eight crews from the Columbia Fire Department and one Boone Hospital Center advanced life support EMS asset responded to this incident.</p>
<p>The Columbia Fire Department reminds residents that smoke alarms save lives. Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of your home and outside of places where people sleep. Check your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. Change your smoke alarm batteries at least twice per year when adjusting your clocks for Daylight Saving Time. Replace any smoke alarm over ten (10) years old.</p></div>
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<div class="content"><strong>Location:</strong> <a href="https://gis.gocolumbiamo.com/CityView/?find=400 Block North College Avenue" target="_blank">400 Block North College Avenue</a></div>
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<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2844">400 Block North College Avenue</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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