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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;">December 14, 2022</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Clayton Farr, Jr.
<br />Fire Chief
<br />Columbia Fire Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7391
<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 residential structure fire in the 1000 block of Claudell Lane</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 1:27 a.m., the Columbia Fire Department was called to respond to the 1000 block of Claudell Lane for a reported residential structure fire. Fire crews received multiple reports of a fire in a residential building with people trapped inside.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first fire crew arrived 4 1/2 minutes later and observed visible fire venting from multiple windows of a two-story townhome. The crew deployed a preconnected hose line and initiated a rapid sequence of attacking the fire and searching for trapped occupants. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As additional personnel and equipment arrived, they were assigned to enhance both the search and rescue and fire attack operations. These additional crews initiated searches in the apartments adjacent to the affected residence and established a water supply from a nearby fire hydrant. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During interior operations, crews located two deceased children inside the structure. Twenty other occupants (including 10 who had been inside the impacted unit) were able to safely exit the building. Three children were transported to a local hospital for evaluation; their condition is not known at the time of this release.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Despite valiant efforts by members of the Columbia Fire and Police Departments as well as EMS and emergency communications partners, families in our community have been devastated by the unimaginable loss of two precious lives in this early morning fire. Please keep these families in your thoughts," said Columbia Fire Chief Clayton Farr Jr.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fire was brought under control in approximately 25 minutes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia fire marshals were called to the scene to perform an origin and cause investigation. The fire originated on the second floor of the residence and the cause remains under investigation. Damages are estimated at $80,000.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thirteen crews from the Columbia Fire Department, five advanced life support EMS crews from both Boone Hospital Center and University Hospital Center as well as several officers with the Columbia Police Department 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 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=1000 Block Claudell Lane" target="_blank">1000 Block Claudell Lane</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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