[Press Release] : Early morning fire causes minor damage; cause is incendiary

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

Early morning fire causes minor damage; cause is incendiary

COLUMBIA, MO (July 9, 2008) - Columbia firefighters were called to 2308
Hendrix Drive in northeast Columbia around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July
9, for a report of a structure fire. 

Firefighters arrived to find that the occupants of the home, Lori and
Forest McKee, had evacuated and Forest McKee had used a garden hose to
extinguish the fire, which was confined to the front porch and garage
door area. There were no injuries. 

Fire investigators have determined that the fire began on the front
porch and the cause of the fire was incendiary in nature. Fire
investigators believe that an ignitable liquid was poured on the
concrete front porch and driveway and ignited. 

Damage was confined to a small amount of vinyl siding and the garage
door. Total dollar loss is estimated at $2,000.

The Columbia Police Department Major Crimes Unit was contacted and the
Columbia Police Department and Columbia Fire Department Fire Marshal's
Division are conducting a joint investigation. Law enforcement and fire
investigators are working to develop suspect information. 

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact
Crime Stoppers at (573) 875-TIPS (8477) or the Columbia Fire Department
Fire Marshal's Division at 573-874-7556. Information can also be phoned
into the ARSON HOTLINE at 1-800-39-ARSON (1-800-392-7766).

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