[Press Release] : late afternoon fire damages apartment

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Battalion Chief Steven Sapp - (573) 874-7557

Late afternoon fire damages apartment

COLUMBIA, MO (December 2, 2005) -- Columbia firefighters responded to a
report of a fire at Ashwood Apartments, 1021 Ashland Road, Apartment
1002, at 5:49 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. Upon arrival, firefighters
discovered heavy smoke pouring from the front door of the apartment. 

Columbia firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire but not
before extensive damage occurred to the kitchen of the apartment. Smoke
damage was noted throughout the apartment and one apartment on the
second floor suffered moderate smoke damage. 

Fire investigators were called to the scene and determined the origin
of the fire was in the kitchen on the stove top. Residents of the
apartment told fire investigators that they were cooking french fries
and left them unattended for a few minutes only to return to the kitchen
to find a fire. 

The fire spread from the pan to the cabinets above and beside the stove
and extended into the wall behind the stove. Damage was estimated to the
building and contents at $15-20,000. No one was injured during the
fire.

Smoke alarms sounded in the apartments but the fire was discovered
prior to initial smoke alarm activation. 

The occupants did not have renter's insurance. The apartments are owned
by Raul Walters Properties and are insured. The occupants of apartment
1002 will stay with friends until they are able to return to the
apartment. Occupants of the upstairs apartment damaged by smoke were
being placed in a local hotel by the property owner. 

The Columbia Fire Department reminds everyone that unattended cooking
is a leading cause of fires in homes and apartments. Never leave cooking
unattended - not even for a moment. 

- 30 -
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