[Press Release] : 2nd alarm afternoon fire damages UMC residence hall under construction

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

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

2nd alarm afternoon fire damages UMC residence hall under construction

COLUMBIA, MO (March 15, 2006) -- Columbia firefighters responded to a
report of a commercial structure fire at 1000 Providence Road South, the
Southwest Residence Hall Complex, at 1:49 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15,
2006. Initial reports indicated that smoke and fire were seen on the
roof of the building in the southeast corner of the complex. 

Arriving, fire crews confirmed that smoke and flames were visible from
the peak of the roof when fire apparatus, consisting of three engines, a
ladder, a heavy rescue squad and two staff vehicles, arrived on the
scene. Due to the location of the fire in the building, some limited
access issues and the need for additional resources, a 2nd alarm was
struck at 1:54 p.m. bringing three additional engines, the air truck,
the Fire Investigations Unit, the Customer Services Unit and several
additional staff vehicles. 

Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack on the fire, which was
located in the attic area of the building. Firefighters used thermal
imaging cameras to locate the hot spots and direct their fire fighting
operations. In addition, aerial devices with elevated water streams were
set up around the building in the event the fire broke through the roof
and threatened additional buildings. There firefighters did an excellent
job of locating the fire, knocking the fire down and causing minimal
additional damage to the building. 

Fire investigators are on the scene and are working with the
contractors and University officials to determine the area of origin and
the cause of the fire. No damage estimates are available at this time.
No injuries were reported to construction personnel in the building or
to firefighters during fire fighting and overhaul operations. 

The building involved in the fire is part of a large complex of
residence halls under construction and the complex is scheduled to house
students in the fall of 2006. The general contractor for the project is
Walton Construction, based in Kansas City, Mo. 

Additional information will be released when available and an
additional update will be issued late tonight or early on Thursday
morning. 

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