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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;">June 18, 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 responds to second residential structure fire of the day in the 200 block of Bittersweet Court</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display: inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Saturday, June 18 at 2:00 p.m., the Columbia Fire Department was called to respond to the 200 block of Bittersweet Court for a reported residential structure fire. Fire crews received reports of a fire in the rear of a residence.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first fire crew arrived within five minutes and observed moderate smoke conditions from the rear of a one-story residence on a walkout basement. The crew encountered significant smoke conditions inside the rear of the residence. They began an aggressive interior fire attack and search and rescue operations with a preconnected hose line. The fire crew quickly isolated the fire to a basement family room. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As additional personnel and equipment arrived, fire crews initiated search and rescue operations on the first floor and began ventilation operations to clear the residence of smoke and ensure the fire had been confined to the basement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During firefighting operations, crews determined the occupants of the residence had made it safely to the exterior of the building without injuries.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fire was brought under control in approximately 5 minutes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia fire marshals were called to p</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">erform an origin and cause investigation. The cause of the fire is determined to be improperly discarded smoking materials. Damage is estimated at $5,000. Fire marshals determined smoke alarms alerted the occupants to the fire.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ten crews from the Columbia Fire Department and one University of Missouri - Columbia advanced life support EMS asset responded to this incident.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p></div>
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<div class="content"><strong>Location:</strong> <a href="https://gocolumbiamo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=62b0c3219184457b88d19cf44ce1f4a3&find=200 Block Bittersweet Court" target="_blank">200 Block Bittersweet Court</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=2852">Bittersweet 1</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2853">Bittersweet 2</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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