[Press Release] : Firefighters respond to early evening fire in central Columbia home

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Duty - Public Information Officer - (573) 499-7035

Firefighters respond to early evening fire in central Columbia home

COLUMBIA, MO (August 1, 2008) - Columbia firefighters were called at
6:21 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, to 907 Clayton St., for a report of a house
fire. Arriving fire units reported smoke from the front and rear of the
structure. Firefighters located the fire in a front bedroom and had the
fire under control in less then five minutes. 

The residents of the home reported that they had left to run an errand
and were gone for about 15 minutes. When they returned to the house and
opened the front door they were met by light to moderate smoke and some
heat. The residents called 9-1-1, removed two dogs and six puppies from
the house, and discovered heavier smoke and heat in a bedroom before
evacuating the home. Firefighters removed a Guinea pig from the rear
bedroom of the home which appeared to be unharmed.

The owner of the home is Steve Kellar of Springfield, Mo., and the home
is occupied by his daughter, Keri Rivers, 22, and her son. Rivers, her
son, and another male were treated on the scene by University Hospital
paramedics for smoke inhalation. All refused additional treatment or
transport to a hospital.

Fire investigators determined the fire began in a front bedroom of the
home and the likely cause was an electrical malfunction of a fan or the
electrical outlet the fan was plugged into. Damage was estimated at
$20,000 to the structure and contents and was primarily smoke damage. 

Rivers and her son, along with her pets, were being assisted by the
Boone County Chapter of the American Red Cross. The Red Cross was
providing temporary housing for Rivers and her son. 

- 30 -
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