[Press Release] : Smoke detector alerts family of structure fire

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Battalion Chief Gary L. Warren Jr. - (573) 874-7644

Smoke detector alerts family of structure fire

COLUMBIA, MO (February 7, 2007) -- At 8:53 p.m. firefighters responded to the report of a residential structure fire at 2701 Nifong Rd. East, Lot 230 (Columbia Village Trailer Court). Responding crews could see heavy smoke as they approached the scene.

Fire crews arrived to find the trailer fully involved in flames. Fourteen firefighters responding on Quint 8, Quint 7, Snozzle 1, Ladder 2, Squad 3, (as well as two chief officers) battled the flames and brought the fire under control in roughly 20 minutes.

One of the occupants, a mother of three, stated that while she and her children were in the bedroom area of the trailer the smoke detector began sounding. When she went out to investigate she saw a rapidly growing fire in the kitchen. She quickly gathered her children and exited the trailer as she dialed 9-1-1.

The cause and origin of the fire have not been determined and remain under investigation. No initial damage estimates are available at this time.

The Columbia Fire Department would like to remind residents to keep their smoke detectors in working condition by changing the batteries twice a year and testing them often. It is certain that the smoke detector played a significant role in alerting the occupants before it was “too late.”

All occupants of the trailer evacuated without injury and no firefighters were injured during the incident. 

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