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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 12, 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 overnight arson fire on December 12, 2023</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 at 5:12 a.m. the Columbia Fire Department was called to respond to the 300 block of Nebraska Avenue later determined to be the result of arson.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">CFD received numerous reports of fire coming from a self-storage complex in the area. The first crew arrived five minutes later and encountered significant smoke and fire conditions throughout a one-story self-storage building. The crew reported high heat conditions along with flames through the roof of the building. 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 complex and to 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 several nearby fire hydrants and additional preconnected hose lines were deployed to control the fire from both the exterior and interior of each unit. 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 occupants inside the structure and there were no injuries reported.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 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 one of the individual storage units and the cause of the fire has been ruled arson. Initial damage is estimated at $100,000.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Twelve crews comprising 25 Columbia Fire Department personnel and two University Hospital and Clinics advanced life support EMS crews 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=300 Block Nebraska Avenue" target="_blank">300 Block Nebraska Avenue</a></div>
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<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3070">Nebraska Avenue 1</a><br /><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3071">Nebraska Avenue 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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