[Press Release] : Columbia firefighters battle fire at the Links in northeast Columbia

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

Columbia firefighters battle fire at the Links in northeast Columbia

COLUMBIA, MO (December 3, 2008) - Columbia firefighters were called at
1:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to the Links in the 5400 block of Clark
Lane for a report of a fire in an apartment building. 9-1-1 received
several calls from residents and maintenance staff indicating that the
roof of the building with 12 apartments was on fire. 

Firefighters arrived and found black smoke and fire through the roof of
the common porch on the west side of the building. Heavy smoke was also
venting from roof vents on the east side of the same building. 

Firefighters determined from management that all occupants were thought
to be out of the apartments. Firefighters conducted searches of each
apartment and verified everyone was out, accounted for, and not injured.
Six occupants of the building were home at the time and were temporarily
housed at another unit at the Links to keep them out of the cold wind
and light snow. 

At the same time, firefighters attacked the fire in the attic space on
the west side of the building. With the potential for fire spread aided
by brisk west winds, the incident commander requested a second alarm
about 1:47 p.m. The second alarm brought a total of five engines, one
ladder, one heavy rescue squad, the air truck and five staff vehicles to
the scene. 

The fire in the attic area on the west side was knocked down in about
15 minutes and firefighters using thermal imaging cameras made their way
into the common attic and verified the fire was contained to the west
side of the attic space. 

Fire crews also raised three aerial devices and used one to allow
firefighters to open the east side attic space to check for fire
extension and assist in ventilation. 

Fire investigators determined that the fire originated in the area of
the front porch on the west side of the building and fire and smoke,
aided by westerly winds, migrated through the attic of the building. No
fire damage, and only light smoke damage, was reported in any of the 12
apartments. Occupants are expected to be able to return to their
apartments later this afternoon or early evening. 

Fire investigators are still working on the cause of the fire, however
preliminary evidence suggests improperly discarded smoking material may
be to blame. Total damage estimates are in the neighborhood of $10,000
to $15,000. The smoke alarms in the apartments were in working order.
The building was not equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system.

- 30 -
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