[Press Release] : Smoke alarms alert resident to early morning fire

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Battalion Chief Steven E. Sapp, Public Information Officer -
(573) 874-7557

Smoke alarms alert resident to early morning fire

COLUMBIA, MO (February 16, 2007) -- The Columbia Fire Department
responded to a report of a residential structure fire at 4101 Deer St.
at 3:32 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 16. Deer Street is located in north
Columbia off of Smiley Lane near Lange Middle School. 

When firefighters arrived they encountered moderate to heavy smoke
conditions in the residence and found a fire in the kitchen area.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in less then 10
minutes. 

The resident and owner of the home, Connie Browning, 42, was already
outside of the home with her dog, Chance, when firefighters arrived.
Browning and her dog escaped with no injuries. A cat, Hamilton, was
inside and other than being scared, appeared to be okay. A bird, Max,
did not survive the fire and appeared to have succumbed to the smoke. 

Browning told investigators she was awoken by the smoke alarms.
Browning found a fire in the kitchen and initially tried to smother the
fire with a blanket. Browning then called 9-1-1 and evacuated the home.


Fire investigators determined the fire began in the kitchen around the
area of the stove, but an official cause of the fire is still pending.
Damage estimates to the home and contents are estimated around $50,000.
The home is insured.

In this fire, smoke alarms were the first indication of a fire in
progress and awoke the resident who stated she was a very sound sleeper.
If smoke alarms had not been present and working, the outcome of this
fire could have been very different. 

The Columbia Fire Department reminds residents to test their smoke
alarms once a month, clean the smoke alarm monthly, and change the
batteries at least once a year. If your smoke alarms are over 10 years
old, replace them. Homes should have at least one smoke alarm on each
level near the sleeping rooms and a smoke alarm in each sleeping room. 

- 30 -
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