[Press Release] : Early afternoon apartment blaze brings damage estimate of $750,000

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of
Columbia’s Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided
links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.
______________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Captain Rick Douglas - (573) 874-7644

Early afternoon apartment blaze brings damage estimate of $750,000

COLUMBIA, MO (November 12, 2006) -- Columbia firefighters responded to
a report of a fire at 2401 Parker St., Parker Street Townhouse
Apartments, at 1:18 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12. Initial reports indicated
flames were visible from one of the apartments. 

Arriving fire crews found flames on the exterior of the two-story
structure from the ground floor stretching the entire height of the
building. Fire crews made an aggressive interior and exterior attack
bringing the fire under control in approximately 20 minutes. The fire
spread into the attic space requiring crews to cut ventilation holes in
the roof to stop the fire's progress.

The lone occupant of the home was asleep on the second floor and her
two dogs awoke her with continuous barking. She was able to escape to
safety by jumping off the home's deck, but the dogs had to be rescued by
Columbia firefighters. She stated that she did not hear the home's smoke
alarms sounding before making her way out of the structure.

Columbia fire apparatus consisting of four engine companies, a ladder
company and a rescue squad along with their crews totaling 17 personnel
were needed to bring the fire under control. Overhead electrical lines
prevented the use of aerial devices to access the roof, so crews
resorted to ground ladders to gain access to complete suppression
operations

Fire investigators are on the scene to determine the area of origin and
the cause of the fire. Initial damage estimate is approximately
$750,000. Red Cross was called in to assist the families that have been
displaced by this incident. The Columbia Fire Department would like to
remind all citizens to check their smoke alarms to ensure they are in
working condition and to change the batteries every six months when you
change your clocks.

- 30 -
______________________________________________________

Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or
subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and
follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/index.php