[Press Release] : Smoke alarm alerts occupant to central Columbia apartment fire

[Press Releases]

You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of
Columbia’s Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided
links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.
______________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Captain Eric Hartman - (573) 874-7644

Smoke alarm alerts occupant to central Columbia apartment fire

COLUMBIA, MO (December 8, 2008) - Columbia firefighters were called at
5:19 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, to 202 West Ash Street, Apartment L2, for a
report of a structure fire.

Firefighters arrived and discovered light smoke coming from the ground
level apartment. Fire crews entered the home, where they discovered the
remains of a fire in the kitchen. The fire had been extinguished prior
to the arrival of fire units. Crews used large electric fans to remove
the remaining smoke from the home and thermal imaging cameras to ensure
there was no hidden fire in the wall or concealed spaces around the
stove. The fire was contained to the kitchen, with moderate smoke damage
throughout the home. There were no injuries and the damage is estimated
at $5,000. The building is owned by AMAX Properties L.L.C.

The occupant, Connie Thompson, reported to fire crews that she was
heating a pan of cooking oil on the stove and became distracted. When
the smoke alarm sounded, she returned to the kitchen and found the oil
and area around the stove on fire. A neighbor called 9-1-1 for fire
department assistance. At the time of the fire, Thompson and her
3-year-old daughter were inside the apartment.

The home was equipped with properly functioning smoke alarms and did
provide the key early notification to the occupants. SMOKE ALARMS SAVE
LIVES!

Investigators from the Columbia Fire Department were on-scene and have
determined the cause to be unattended cooking.

Residents are reminded to ensure that all food items have been removed
from cooking appliances, or have been turned off, when unattended.

- 30 -
______________________________________________________

Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or
subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and
follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/index.php