[Press Release] : Fire company rescues occupant

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

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

Fire company rescues occupant; neighbors alert firefighters to fire

COLUMBIA, MO (April 25, 2006) -- Columbia firefighters responded to a
report of a structure fire at 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, at 1107
Locust Street, Apt 2. Initial reports indicated that a fire was in
progress in that apartment and neighbors could see the occupant inside
lying on the floor.

Firefighters arrived to find light to moderate smoke in apartment 1 and
could see the occupant of apartment 2 lying on the floor. Firefighters
forced entry into the front door, which had been barricaded by a
reclining chair and other furnishings, to find a male lying on a
mattress which was on fire. Firefighters reported moderate to heavy
smoke conditions in apartment 2. Lt. Tony Willits and Firefighter Gary
Drewing Jr. of Engine Co. No. 1 removed Paul V Thompson, 27, of Columbia
from the apartment. 

Thompson was evaluated by firefighters and paramedics from Boone
Hospital Center on the scene and then transported to University
Hospitals for evaluation. Thompson suffered smoke inhalation but no
serious burn injuries. 

The fire could have easily proved fatal for Thompson had it not been
discovered for a few more minutes. Although there was a smoke alarm in
apartment 2, the battery had been removed rendering the smoke alarm
inoperative. The fire was discovered by the occupant of apartment 1,
Robert Kitson, when he turned on the furnace and smoke began to pour
from the heating vents. When it was determined that the furnace was not
malfunctioning, the occupants of apartment 1 began to investigate the
source of the smoke. They noticed smoke in apartment 2 after looking
through the front window when they also noted Thompson lying on the
floor. They then called 9-1-1. 

The occupant of apartment 1 was not injured and was able to remain in
his apartment. The building is owned by Elias Kalaf of Columbia. 

Fire investigators determined the fire began on a futon mattress in the
living room of apartment 2 and was caused by careless smoking. Damage to
the structure, mostly smoke damage, is estimated at less then $1,000.

In this case, a working smoke alarm could have alerted the occupants of
both apartments earlier to a fire in progress. Though Thompson survived
and appears to have suffered no life threatening injuries, just a few
more minutes would have possibly proved fatal for him. 

Firefighters urge you to install and maintain working smoke alarms.
Test the smoke alarm once a month by depressing the test button, and
change the batteries once a year. If your smoke alarm is older then 10
years old, replace the entire smoke alarm. You should have one smoke
alarm on each level of the home, and for maximum protection, a smoke
alarm in each sleeping room. The average cost of a smoke alarm is $5.

Additionally, if you smoke, never smoke in bed or when you are tired in
a recliner or other furniture that may be used for sleeping. Make sure
smoking materials are placed in sturdy non-combustible ash trays and
never empty the ash tray into the trash can until the smoking materials
have become cold to the touch.


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