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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;">July 3, 2023</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 commercial structure fire in the 200 block of South Ninth Street</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Monday, July 3, 2023 at 4:03 a.m. the Columbia Fire Department was called to respond to 204 South Ninth Street after receiving reports of a fire alarm originating from Missouri United Methodist Church.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first crew arrived five minutes later and upon investigation they encountered a large amount of smoke in the multipurpose area of the building. The crew also discovered the building’s automatic fire sprinkler system had activated and was flowing water.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first arriving officer requested a full structure fire response be dispatched to the location as they simultaneously began an aggressive interior search for any victims as well as the source of the smoke.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As additional personnel and equipment arrived, a water supply was established from several nearby fire hydrants and crews deployed approximately 450 feet of preconnected hose line in order to reach the area of the fire. Other fire crews initiated search and rescue operations throughout the structure and also began ventilation operations to clear the structure of smoke and ensure the fire had been contained.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During firefighting operations, crews determined the fire’s origin on an elevated stage in the multipurpose area of the building. The building’s fire sprinkler system fully extinguished the fire. There were no injuries reported.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The incident was brought under control in approximately thirty minutes with fire crews remaining on the scene into the mid-morning hours to ensure there were no areas of hidden fire remaining, to remove the large amount of smoke contained in the space as well as remove as much water as possible from the building.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia fire marshals were called to perform an origin and cause investigation. The fire was determined to have originated on the stage and the cause is associated with a piece of sound equipment. Initial damage is estimated at $200,000.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ten crews comprising 22 Columbia Fire Department personnel and two University Hospital and Clinics advanced life support EMS crew 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 style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://gocolumbiamo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=62b0c3219184457b88d19cf44ce1f4a3&find=200 block South Ninth Street" target="_blank">200 block South Ninth Street</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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