[Press Release] : Firefighters respond to evening house fire

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Battalion Chief Steven E. Sapp, Public Information Officer -
(573) 499-7035 

Firefighters respond to evening house fire

COLUMBIA, MO (October 10, 2007) - Columbia firefighters were called
just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, to 2606 B Quail Dr. for a report
of a house fire. 

Arriving fire units reported smoke from the front door of side B and
smoke from the roof vents of the duplex. Firefighters made a quick
interior attack and were able to extinguish the fire in the kitchen area
of the home in less then five minutes. Firefighters found the fire had
spread to the attic area and removed some ceiling in the kitchen and
extinguished that fire minutes later. The fire was under control in less
then 15 minutes. 

The resident of 2606 B Quail Dr., Sherma Hawkins, 50, was not home at
the time of the fire. Hawkins returned home around 6:10 p.m. from taking
her son to work in southeast Columbia. 

The occupant of 2606 A Quail Dr. was home during the fire, was
evacuated, and was not injured. 

The fire was discovered by Michael L Linzie-Hayes, 11, of 2606 A Quail
Dr. Michael was on the rear porch of 2604 Quail Dr. when he heard the
sound of a smoke alarm.

Michael said at first he did not see any fire or smoke and was unsure
where the alarm was coming from. Seconds later, Michael told fire
investigators he looked up again and saw smoke coming from the roof
vents of the duplex where he lived and where his mother was. Michael
alerted an adult at 2404 Quail Dr. who called 9-1-1. Michael then ran to
the front of the duplex at 2606 A Quail Dr. and shouted through the
front door to his mother that the house was on fire. Michael’s mother
escaped unharmed. Michael told fire investigators he knew someone should
call 9-1-1 and that he should not enter a house that was on fire, so he
shouted to warn his mother from the outside. 

Fire investigators credit Michael’s quick actions with providing
early notification to the Fire Department, lessening the property damage
and possibly saving his mother from smoke inhalation or injury. 

Fire investigators determined the fire began in the kitchen area of the
home at 2606 B Quail Dr. and determined the cause of the fire was
unintentional. The resident left the home thinking she had turned off
the stove burner upon which she had previously been cooking supper. 

Fire damage to the home and contents is estimated at $25,000. It is
unknown if the renters have renters insurance; the landlord is insured
for the damage to the home. The home was equipped with working smoke
alarms. 

The residents of 2606 A Quail Dr. were able to return to the house but
the residents of 2606 B will not be able to stay in the house. The Boone
County Chapter of the American Red Cross is providing temporary housing
for the residents of 2606 B. 

- 30 -
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