[Press Release] : Origin and cause of second alarm fire at 1021 Ashland Road determined

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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

Origin and cause of second alarm fire at 1021 Ashland Road determined

COLUMBIA, MO (April 17, 2007) - Columbia fire investigators this
afternoon determined that the fire at 1021 Ashland Road originated in
the kitchen of apartment 904. The cause of the fire was unattended
cooking. The physical evidence collaborated statements made by the
occupants that they were cooking and left the kitchen. 

The occupants noticed the fire; however, lacked the means to notify
9-1-1 as they did not own a cell phone and had no hardwired phone in the
apartment. The residents appeared to be unsure as what to do and made
two trips to the office of the apartment complex before notifying on-
duty management of the fire in progress. By this time, other occupants
of the building were noticing smoke and calling 9-1-1 also. 

The uncontrolled fire and delay in notification allowed the fire to
burn into the common attic area. Moments after firefighters arrived, the
fire flashed and the entire second floor was ablaze. 

The two injured firefighters were released from University Hospitals
after being treated for minor burn injuries and are expected to return
to active duty within the next several weeks. 

The fire apparatus, Quint 3, which was damaged by radiant heat suffered
extensive damage and will be out of service for an unknown period of
time. In the meantime, a reserve engine company will be placed in
service. The initial damage estimates to repair the fire apparatus may
top $250,000. 

In addition, two or three sets of bunker gear and three air-packs were
destroyed.

- 30 -
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