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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 20, 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
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<br />Christian Tabak
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.289.9516
<br />policepio@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 Police assist Columbia Fire Marshal's with arson arrest, Dec. 20</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, detectives with the Columbia Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division assisted Columbia Fire Marshal’s by making an arrest of Dionne Denise Houston in the 700 block of Wilkes Avenue in connection to an arson fire that occurred in the 300 block of Nebraska Avenue Tuesday, Dec. 12.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia firefighters responded at 5:12 a.m. Dec. 12 after receiving numerous reports of fire coming from a self-storage complex and found significant smoke and fire conditions throughout a one-story self-storage building. The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 minutes and was determined to have originated from inside one of the individual storage units. The cause of the fire was ruled arson. Damage is estimated at $100,000.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During the investigation, investigators with the Columbia Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Division received information that led to the development of probable cause for Powell’s arrest. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Powell was arrested for arson in the second degree as well as an unrelated local arrest warrant. The arrest was made without incident.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Fire Department would like to extend our thanks to the Columbia Police Department for their assistance as well as our community partners with several local businesses and individuals cooperating with this investigation by providing valuable information ultimately leading to Wednesday’s arrest.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Columbia Fire Department at 573.874.7391 or CrimeStoppers at 573.875.TIPS (8477) if you wish to remain anonymous.</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 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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