[Press Release] : Smoke alarm awakens residents, allows them time to escape - Update: origin, cause; damage estimate

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

Smoke alarm awakens residents, allows them time to escape
Update: origin, cause; damage estimate 

COLUMBIA, MO (July 14, 2007) - After a busy Friday preparing for their
50th wedding anniversary celebration scheduled for Saturday evening,
Veryl and Margie Freese fell sound asleep around 11 p.m. At 12:34 a.m.
the couple was awoken by their smoke alarms. 

The Freese's awoke and found the upstairs of their home at 1208
Longwell Drive full of smoke. They evacuated along with their pet
poodle, Nala, and watched as firefighters arrived and battled heavy
smoke and fire in the basement level of the two-level home. 

Fire investigators worked into the early morning hours and concluded
that the fire began in a bedroom in the lower level (basement) of the
home. The fire was caused by an unknown electrical issue in a small
household fan which was running in the bedroom area. 

Fire investigators have estimated the damage to the structure at
$50,000 and damage to the contents at $10,000. Total damage estimate is
$60,000. This is a preliminary estimate and the figure could be higher
or lower after the insurance adjusters look at the scene. 

The Columbia Fire Department again reminds you that this is positive
proof that working smoke alarms save lives. Test your smoke alarms at
least once a month; change batteries in your smoke alarms at least once
each year; clean your smoke alarms each week with a dry cloth and;
replace smoke alarms that are older then 10 years. Install smoke alarms
on each level of your home, near the bedroom areas and for maximum
protection install a smoke alarm in each sleeping room of the house. 

If you’re building a new home or considering remodeling your existing
home, the Columbia Fire Department urges you to install a residential
fire sprinkler system. Estimates are free from most fire sprinkler
installers. 

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