[Press Release] : Early morning second-alarm fire damages estimated at more than $1 million

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

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

Early morning second-alarm fire damages estimated at more than $1
million

COLUMBIA, MO (September 20, 2006) -- Columbia firefighters responded to
a commercial structure fire at 4:29 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 600
Hillsdale Rd. Firefighters arrived to find a 40 by 100 office/warehouse
complex with heavy smoke and heavy fire showing from the rear of the
building. A second alarm was struck at 4:51 a.m. Six engines, a ladder,
a heavy rescue squad, two command vehicles, a fire investigative unit,
and the fire department's bus and customer service van were on the scene
by 5:30 a.m.

Firefighters made an aggressive attack on the fire but were hampered by
a large fuel load including several hundred pounds of liquid propane gas
stored in one business. In addition, two vehicles were housed in the
warehouse area of one of the suites. The intensity of the fire buckled
metal supports and forced firefighters to conduct much of their fire
attack from outside of the building. The roof of the building over the
suites where fire was heaviest sagged inward 1-2 feet. 

During and after fire fighting operations, firefighters assisted
businesses with the salvage and removal of computer equipment and
records needed to sustain business operations. By mid-morning, most of
the contents of suite A had been removed and awaited a truck to haul
items to a temporary business location. 

600 Hillsdale is owned by a group of businesses and was constructed in
2001. Businesses damaged in the fire include; JD Builders (Suite A),
Precision Electric (Suite B), Ex-Amish Specialties, (Suite C), Ozark
Portable X-Ray Company (Suite D) and United Rental Incorporated (Suite
E). Suites C and D sustained the heaviest fire damage with Suites A, B,
and E sustaining heavy to moderate smoke damage. Business offices are in
front of the building with each suite having a warehouse in the rear.

Firefighters were able to bring the incident under control around 9
a.m. this morning. Fire investigators have determined that the origin of
the fire was in the warehouse area of suite C, Ex-Amish Specialties. The
cause of the fire is listed as undetermined. Damage to the contents,
structure, and loss of business is estimated this afternoon in excess of
$1 million. The loss will likely be higher after insurance adjusters and
a structural engineer evaluate the building and the contents. 

There were no injuries to firefighters on the scene and none of the
businesses were occupied at the time of the fire. The fire was reported
by an employee of one of the businesses when they arrived early for
work.

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