[Press Release] : Unattended cooking fire responsible for $10, 000 damage in apartment

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

Unattended cooking fire responsible for $10,000 damage

COLUMBIA, MO (October 19, 2007) - Shortly after 10 a.m. on Oct. 19, the
Columbia Fire Department was dispatched to a commercial structure fire
at 306 Park Ave. 

On arrival, firefighters saw moderate smoke pouring from the front door
of the apartment. They found the occupant of the apartment, Ella
Garrett, 25, 306 Park Ave., had evacuated and did not suffer any
injuries. 

Firefighters entered the residence and found the refrigerator doors on
fire and moderate smoke throughout the apartment. They extinguished the
fire with a water-based fire extinguisher and used fans to ventilate the
smoke from the apartment. Fire damage was contained to the stove and
refrigerator. Smoke damage was heaviest in the kitchen and minor
throughout the rest of the apartment. 

Fire investigators examined evidence, interviewed Garrett and
determined that the fire began on the stove and spread to the
refrigerator. The cause was unattended cooking. Damage to the structure
and contents is estimated at $5,000. 

SPECIAL NOTE:
This is the fourth unattended cooking fire the Columbia Fire Department
has responded to in the past 30 days. These fires have been responsible
for over $100,000 of total fire damage and have displaced eight people
from their homes. 

Unattended cooking fires are avoidable. 
Never leave cooking unattended, not even for a minute.
Always double check to make sure you turned all of the burners and the
stove off after you finish cooking. 
If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, turn off the burners
and/or the oven. 
If a fire in a cooking utensil occurs, cover it with a lid. NEVER throw
water on a cooking fire!

- 30 -
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