[Press Release] : Afternoon fire causes minor damage to central Columbia home, displaces family

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Chief Steven Sapp - (573) 499-7035

Afternoon fire causes minor damage to central Columbia home, displaces
family

COLUMBIA, MO (July 21, 2007) - On Saturday, July 21, at 2:59 p.m. the
Columbia Fire Department responded to a house fire at 102 Third Ave.
Fire crews arrived on the scene and found light smoke coming from the
eaves of the home. The residents had evacuated the home prior to the
arrival of the fire department.

Christopher Sievert and his daughter were home at the time of the fire
when a neighbor alerted them to the smoke coming from the attic area.
Sievert and his daughter evacuated the home and called 9-1-1 from a
cordless phone. Smoke alarms were present in the home, but did not sound
as the smoke was confined to the attic space.

Firefighters checked the attic and found an electrical wire had failed
and caused the blown insulation in the attic to catch fire and smolder.
The smoke and heat damage was confined to the attic area with only light
smoke in the living area of the home. Firefighters removed the
smoldering insulation and Columbia Water & Light disconnected the power
to the home.

Columbia fire investigators have determined that the fire began in the
attic. The cause of the fire is an electrical malfunction. It is
estimated that the damage to the home and contents is under $5,000.

The Boone County Chapter of the American Red Cross is working with the
family to provide temporary housing and meals. 

- 30 -
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