[Press Release] : Late morning electrical fire damages home at 1601 Colonial Ct.

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

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

Late morning electrical fire damages home at 1601 Colonial Ct.

COLUMBIA, MO (March 7, 2006) -- On Tuesday, March 7, at 10:11 a.m.,
units of the Columbia Fire Department responded to a report of a
residential structure fire at 1601 Colonial Ct. 

The first unit arrived on the scene within 5 minutes and reported smoke
showing from the south side of the residence (facing White Gate Drive)
and the eves at each end of the house. When firefighters opened the side
door, they encountered heavy smoke and active fire throughout the
basement area. Firefighters also reported that the fire caused glass to
break from the build up of intense heat and smoke. 

Firefighters acted quickly in extinguishing the fire in the basement
and upstairs areas. Firefighters had to remove part of the siding in
addition to the interior efforts because the fire had breached the walls
on the south side of the residence. A thermal imaging camera was used as
well to locate any "hot spots" behind walls and in the ceiling of the
basement.

No one was injured in the fire. The owner, Devinnea Jefferson, was
visiting a relative in a local hospital at the time of the incident.

Fire investigators on the scene pinpointed the origin of the fire to an
outlet in the 1st floor living room. Further investigation revealed the
cause to be electrical in nature.

Initial damage estimates to the structure and its contents are
approximately $20,000, however, this may increase due to significant
smoke damage.

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