[Press Release] : Firefighters respond to fraternity house fire on MU campus

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

Firefighters respond to fraternity house fire on MU campus

COLUMBIA, MO (July 22, 2008) - Around 4:22 p.m. today firefighters were
called to 808 Providence Road South for a commercial structure fire at
the Sigma Pi Fraternity House located just south of Rollins. 

The first unit arrived on the scene within five minutes to report light
smoke showing as they pulled a hose line from the truck. It took
firefighters just 10 minutes to bring the fire under control with a
class “K” extinguisher. Firefighters from one quint, one snozzle,
one engine, one ladder truck, one squad, the Fire Marshal’s Division
and several chief officers responded to the scene.

Although eight residents are staying at the greek house this summer,
only four were home at the time of the incident. As Paul Ballenger was
returning from class he noticed smoke coming from the back of the house
(east side) and immediately ran inside to inform the other three
residents that were home. Ballenger next grabbed an extinguisher as the
smoke detector began sounding and headed to the kitchen where the fire
was located. He attempted to extinguish the fire but could only get a
knockdown and the fire intensified shortly after. During this time,
another resident, Chris Schuck, called 9-1-1. As the four residents
evacuated the house, Zach Thompson attempted one last extinguishment but
was driven out of the kitchen by smoke as the extinguisher ran out of
agent.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, however, the origin
is in the kitchen on or near the stove. Initial damage estimates are
$10, 000 to the structure and contents. No one was injured during this
incident. 

- 30 -
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