[Press Release] : Structure fire at 3301 Lemone Industrial Blvd.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Battalion Chief Gary L. Warren, Jr. - (573) 874-7644

Commercial structure fire at 3301 Lemone Industrial Blvd.

COLUMBIA, MO (January 5, 2006) -- On Thursday, Jan. 4, at 9:27 p.m.
units of the Columbia Fire Department responded to a report of a fire
alarm that was upgraded to a commercial structure fire at 3301 Lemone
Industrial Blvd.

While responding, the first due unit noticed smoke coming from the roof
of Bennigan's Grill and Tavern at the intersection of U.S. Highway 63
south and Grindstone Parkway. 

Upon arrival, units found smoke visible from the roof and the rear of
Bennigan's. Firefighters were met by a manager who stated that an
employee first noticed the smoke coming from the roof while leaving. The
employee returned to inform the manager who initiated the evacuation of
the restaurant and notified the hotel management to evacuate as well.

Once inside, fire crews encountered heavy smoke in the upstairs storage
area. Fire crews had to use a thermal imaging camera to locate the seat
of the fire before extinguishing it with pre-connected fire hoses.

Fire investigators on the scene determined the cause of the fire to be
improper storage of combustibles near a water heater. Initial damage
estimates to the structure and its contents are approximately $100,000.
None of the patrons or employees in the restaurant or hotel were injured
during the structure fire. A sprinkler system aided in keeping the fire
involvement to the area of origin until fire crews could extinguish the
blaze.

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