[Press Release] : Practicing fire drill pays off for students in real kitchen fire situation

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

Practicing fire drill pays off for students in real kitchen fire
situation

COLUMBIA, MO (October 24, 2007) - Students of Columbia Public Schools
and the Career Center practice fire drills, but probably think that they
will never use them. It was not the case earlier today around 8:32 a.m.
when the Columbia Fire Department responded to 4203 Providence Road
South for a fire alarm at the Career Center.

The Fire Department was dispatched to a general fire alarm that turned
out to be a little more than a typical fire alarm. By the time
firefighters arrived from a nearby station the students were already
evacuated by the faculty and staff. After being briefed about heavy
smoke in the kitchen by a faculty member, the call was quickly upgraded
to a commercial structure fire, which required an additional two quints,
a squad and chief officers to respond.

When firefighters made entry they encountered heavy black smoke and
some active fire on top of a gas stove where a plastic food warmer had
been left. Firefighters acted quickly in extinguishing the remaining
fire with two class “K” extinguishers located in the kitchen (class
K extinguishers are specially designed chemical agents for kitchen
fires). 

No one was injured during the fire and the cause and origin remain
under investigation at this time. Investigators have not yet determined
the total cost of the damage estimate, although a great deal of the
expense will be cleanup and returning the suppression system to “in
service.”

The fact that administrators at the Career Center scheduled a fire
drill last month in recognition of Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 8-12)
definitely aided in the evacuation efforts. The Columbia Fire Department
would like to remind residents of Columbia to have an escape plan and
practice it often. 

- 30 -
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