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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 23, 2026</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Skyler Clark
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Fire Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7609
<br />Skyler.Clark@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 residential structure fire, Jan. 23</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display: inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Friday, Jan. 23, at 11:18 a.m., Columbia Fire Department (CFD) units were dispatched to a residential structure fire in the 4300 block of Langham Drive. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">CFD arrived within four minutes to find heavy smoke billowing from a two-story home. Firefighters entered the home and located flames in the lower level of the structure. The incident was quickly upgraded to a second alarm, bringing a total of 17 CFD units and 41 personnel to the scene. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Crews first initiated an offensive attack, fighting the flames from inside the home. Due to the level of toxic smoke and heat in the home, firefighters were evacuated from the structure at 11:43 a.m. to reassess the situation and ensure the safety of the structure before initiating a defensive attack. The fire was under control in approximately 35 minutes. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Residents were not home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries. Unfortunately, a dog, a bird and a fish perished at the scene.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Fire Marshals have determined the cause to be an accidental fire that started in a clothes dryer. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Fire Department reminds residents of the following safety tips when utilizing or operating a clothes dryer:</span></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Have your clothes dryer installed and serviced by a professional.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Do not use the clothes dryer without a lint filter.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make sure to clean the lint filter as well as any lint around the drum before or after each load of laundry. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clean lint out of the vent pipe annually or contact a clothes dryer lint removal service to clean the vent pipe for you. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Always follow the manufacturer's operating instructions and don't overload the clothes dryer. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keep the area around the clothes dryer clear of things that can burn, like boxes, cleaning supplies or clothing. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clothes that have come in contact with flammable substances like gasoline, paint thinner or similar solvents should be laid outside to dry, then may be washed and dried as usual. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Turn the clothes dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Call 911 in case of emergencies or 311 for non-emergencies. </span></li>
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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=3535">Columbia Fire Department responds to residential structure fire, Jan. 23</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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