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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;"> 201 Orr Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</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;">January 31, 2024</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Jeffrey Heidenreich
<br />Assistant Fire Chief
<br />Columbia Fire Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7513
<br />Jeffrey.Heidenreich@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 incident at MU Medical School</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display: inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Jan. 26, 2024, at 12:10 p.m., the Columbia Fire Department (CFD) was dispatched to a fire alarm at 7 Hospital Drive, the Medical Sciences Building at the University of Missouri (MU). While still en route, Boone County Joint Communications advised they had received several additional 911 calls and further information about a potential fire on the seventh floor. The incident was quickly upgraded to a commercial structure fire, which notified additional personnel and brought more equipment to the incident.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first crew arrived on the scene at 12:15 p.m., gathered tools and equipment, and ascended to the seventh floor. People exiting the building provided the crew with additional information about a fire in the ductwork and a possible explosion on the seventh floor. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the crew arrived on the seventh floor, they encountered significant smoke and a small smoldering fire inside a laboratory. They used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. The first crew also noted potential signs of a small explosion, including partially collapsed interior walls and debris</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Due to the size of the area and the uncertainty of the extent of any additional fire, the crew requested more personnel to assist while they began searching for any occupants who may have been trapped or injured.</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 crews connected hose lines to the building's fire sprinkler system. Other crews also began taking additional hose lines to the seventh floor while simultaneously beginning search and rescue operations on lower floors.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Due to the rapid progression of the scene, incident commanders decided to upgrade the incident to a second alarm at 12:27 p.m., requesting additional personnel and equipment. As additional personnel and equipment arrived, they were assigned to continue search and rescue operations on lower floors and began relieving crews operating in the building the longest.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As crews conducted operations inside, they observed broken chemical containers in a lab. The contents of the containers were spilled onto the floor. Due to the initial uncertainty about the contents of the containers and any associated hazards, the Columbia Fire Department Special Operations Hazardous Materials Truck was called to the scene. This vehicle contains highly specialized equipment capable of detecting a wide variety of chemicals, from those typical of any household to those used in industrial settings. Highly trained CFD Hazardous Materials Technicians conducted operations for several hours inside the building. Crews ultimately determined that while some hazards existed, they were easily manageable and posed no additional risk. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two minor injuries were reported during the incident. Both were treated in the University Hospital Emergency Room and released. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Fire Department worked closely with MU officials and staff to coordinate operations, update them on information as it became available, and minimize the impact on operations. No hospital or patient services were disrupted due to the event. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Fire Department investigators from the Fire Marshals Division were called to perform an origin and cause investigation. They continue their work to identify the incident's origin and cause and determine a potential dollar loss amount. We will update the community as additional information becomes available.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Twenty-one crews comprising 39 Columbia Fire Department personnel and several University of Missouri Health Care and Boone Health advanced life support EMS crews and supervisors responded to this incident. Additionally, 13 additional Columbia Fire Department personnel were recalled to duty to ensure we could continue providing emergency services throughout the City. During this incident, the Boone County Fire Protection District assisted the Columbia Fire Department by providing staff for their stations immediately surrounding the City.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Fire Department expresses its gratitude to all the officials, staff, and employees of the University of Missouri who aided in coordinating and assisting with the response efforts at the scene. Their contributions were essential in promptly containing and resolving the incident, while also ensuring the safety of all those involved during and after the response.</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=7 Hospital Drive" target="_blank">7 Hospital Drive</a></div>
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