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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 13, 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 two residential structure fires on July 12, 2023</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><strong>Marquis Court</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 5:49 a.m. the Columbia Fire Department was called to respond to the 3500 block of Marquis Court after receiving numerous reports of fire coming from a residence in the area.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first crew arrived five minutes later and encountered significant smoke and fire conditions from the front garage area of the two-story duplex-style home. The crew reported high heat conditions along with flames through the roof of the garage. They began an aggressive exterior fire attack with a preconnected hose line in an effort to control the flames and to prevent the fire from spreading throughout the remainder of the home and allow other crews to begin search efforts.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As additional personnel and equipment arrived, a water supply was established from a nearby fire hydrant and additional preconnected hose lines were deployed to control the fire from both the exterior and interior. Other fire crews initiated search and rescue operations throughout both sides of 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 there were no human occupants inside the structure; however, a pet reptile was discovered inside the residence and was safely rescued. There were no injuries reported.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fire was brought under control in approximately 20 minutes with fire crews remaining on the scene into the late morning hours to ensure there were no areas of hidden fire remaining.</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 from inside the garage of the structure and the cause remains under investigation. Initial damage is estimated at $75,000.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eleven crews comprising 25 Columbia Fire Department personnel and two University Hospital and Clinics advanced life support EMS crews responded to this incident.<br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong>Hardin Street</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 8:22 p.m. the Columbia Fire Department was called to respond to the 800 block of Hardin Street after receiving numerous reports of fire coming from an apartment building in the area.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first crew arrived three minutes later and encountered significant smoke and heavy fire conditions from the second floor of the building. The crew reported heavy flames from the upper windows of one of the second floor apartments. They began an aggressive exterior fire attack with a preconnected hose line in an effort to control the flames and to prevent the fire from spreading throughout the remainder of the building and allow other crews to begin search efforts.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As additional personnel and equipment arrived, a water supply was established from a nearby fire hydrant and additional preconnected hose lines were deployed to control the fire from both the exterior and interior. 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 there were no occupants inside the structure. There were no injuries reported.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fire was brought under control in approximately 10 minutes with fire crews remaining on the scene into the late evening hours to ensure there were no areas of hidden fire remaining.</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 from inside a second floor bedroom of the structure and the cause was determined to be accidental. Initial damage is estimated at $75,000.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Twelve crews comprising 26 Columbia Fire Department personnel along with one 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=3500 Block Marquis Court / 800 Block Hardin Street" target="_blank">3500 Block Marquis Court / 800 Block Hardin Street</a></div>
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<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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