[Press Release] : Second alarm fire destroys eight apartments; 20 occupants displaced

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

Second alarm fire destroys eight apartments; 20 occupants displaced

COLUMBIA, MO (April 16, 2007) -- The Columbia Fire Department responded
to a report of an apartment fire at 6:09 p.m. on Monday, April 16, at
1021 Ashland Rd., Bldg. 9, of the Ashwood Apartments. 

The first arriving fire officer reported smoke from the 2nd floor of
building 9. Within two minutes fire command reported that the fire had
burned through the roof and the entire 2nd floor of the two-story
apartment building was on fire. 

A second alarm was struck at 6:18 p.m. to bring additional equipment
and staffing to the scene. In addition, the Boone County Fire Protection
District was notified and staffed several of their fire stations in the
event they were needed to assist with calls in Columbia. The Boone
County Fire District was also asked to respond with a “Grass Rig,”
used to fight natural cover fires, to the scene. Embers from the burning
building threatened to set a wooded area behind the building on fire.
The Columbia Fire Department began a call-back of off-duty personnel to
staff reserve equipment. 

By this time, the entire building was heavily involved in fire. Ladder
trucks were set up to deliver water on the fire and to protect other
buildings in the complex from becoming involved in fire. Firefighters
first on the scene reported that the fire grew extremely fast; one
moment smoke was coming from an apartment and the next moment the entire
second floor was on fire. Firefighters battled heavy smoke and intense
heat to search apartments to ensure no one was inside. 

Two firefighters suffered minor burn injuries when the intense heat
burned through their protective clothing. One firefighter suffered burns
to his shoulder and back area, the other to his arm and ears. Both were
treated at the University of Missouri Burn Center and released. Both
firefighters went home for the remainder of their shift. All occupants
of the building were accounted for and none reported any injuries.

Quint 3, the first pumper on the scene, suffered moderate damage from
the intense heat produced by the fire and will remain out of service
until repairs can be completed. The out-of-service time has not been
determined as of this release. Two private vehicles parked in front of
the building also suffered damage from the intense fire and heat. 

Fire investigators are estimating the loss of the building at $1.2
million and estimate contents loss between $100, 000 and $200,000. The
cause of the fire has not been determined. Fire investigators will
return to the scene in daylight in an effort to determine the apartment
the fire originated in and to try and determine a cause. 

The apartment buildings were not required to have automatic fire
sprinklers when they were built. The apartments are equipped with smoke
alarms. 

The Boone County Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to the
scene to assist occupants with temporary housing, vouchers for clothing
and food, as well as other needs. Most occupants had friends or
relatives to stay with, but several will stay in local hotels with the
assistance of the Red Cross. 

Updates on the cause and origin will be issued as the information
becomes available. 

The men and women of the Columbia Fire Department take this opportunity
to remind you that smoke alarms save lives. Test your smoke alarm
monthly, install new batteries at least once a year, and replace your
smoke alarm every 10 years. In addition, we remind you that automatic
fire sprinkler systems save lives and property.

- 30 -
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