[Press Release] : Unattended cooking fire responsible for $20, 000 damage in apartment

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Chief Gary L. Warren Jr. - (573) 499-7035

Unattended cooking fire responsible for $20,000 damage in apartment

COLUMBIA, MO (October 17, 2007) - Shortly before 8 p.m. last night the
Columbia Fire Department was dispatched to the report of a commercial
structure fire at 1411 Wilkes, Apt E. Upon arrival, crews investigated
the area before locating apartment E on the north side of the apartment
complex.

As fire crews entered apartment E, they encountered moderate smoke that
was banked down about a foot from the top of the door. Fourteen
firefighters from Snozzle 1, Quint 4, Quint 3, Ladder 1 and Squad 3
acted quickly in extinguishing the fire minutes after arriving. Their
timely actions limited the fire to the apartment of origin with the most
damage to the kitchen (and smoke damage to Apt E).

Kari Bodle (one of the residents of Apt E) stated that she was home
with her sister and was preparing to cook. Bodle left the room with a
pot of oil on the stove top which eventually caught fire. She later
noticed the fire when she saw a orange reflection in a window. Bodle and
her sister quickly exited the apartment with a dog and called 9-1-1. 

Fire investigators on the scene stated that both were fortunate to
escape the apartment without injuries considering the only working smoke
detector was taken down with no batteries in it. A statement from the
investigator lists the official cause as unattended cooking and the fire
caused approximately $20,000 damage to the structure and contents. 

Several residents of 1411 waited outside for approximately one hour
while crews conducted fire fighting activities. The residents of
Apartment E were unable to reoccupy their apartment after the fire last
night.

- 30 -
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