[Press Release] : Early morning fire damages apartments, sends two to hospital

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

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

Early morning fire damages apartments, sends two to hospital

COLUMBIA, MO (February 5, 2006) -- Columbia firefighters responded to a
report of a fire at 1000 Fay Street, at 8:18 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered heavy fire and smoke pouring from
a front and side window of the one-story home which had been converted
into two separate apartments. 

Columbia firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire but not
before extensive damage occurred to one of the two apartments. Fire
spread to the attic and firefighters battled to make access and
extinguish the fire there. 

Two occupants of Apartment A were home where the fire broke out. One
escaped through a rear bathroom window and the second escaped through a
bedroom window. Yolola Turner of 1000 Fay, Apt. A, suffered lacerations
to her legs, arms and hands during the escape from the bedroom window
and was treated on the scene by firefighters and later at University
Hospitals. The second occupant of Apt. A, Sondra Tolson was also
transported to University Hospitals of observation of smoke inhalation.
Both Tuner and Tolson were released by noon. 

Tolson alerted the occupants of Apt. B, Nathaniel Tillman and Kim
Fleshman, of the fire and they both escaped with no injuries. Apt B
suffered moderate smoke damage. No injuries were reported to
firefighters on the scene. 

Fire investigators were called to the scene and determined the origin
of the fire was in the living room area of Apt. A. The cause of the fire
remains under investigation. 

Damage was estimated to the building and contents at $75,000. The Boone
County Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to the scene and was
able to provide temporary living quarters to the residents of apartments
A and B. 

It appears that there were no working smoke alarms in the apartments.
The Columbia Fire Department reminds everyone that working smoke alarms
save lives and property. Test your smoke alarms monthly.

- 30 -
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