[Press Release] : Deck of southeast Columbia home catches fire

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

Deck of southeast Columbia home catches fire

COLUMBIA, MO (June 15, 2008) - Firefighters responded to a report of a
residential structure fire at 2321 Deer Creek Court just after 7 p.m.
Reports of an exploding barbecue were received by responding units while
en route to the fire. The first arriving crew saw smoke from the rear of
the house after arriving on scene. 

Firefighters acted quickly in extinguishing the remnants of a gas grill
and parts of the back wooden deck, patio furniture and siding. They then
checked for fire extension into the house by using thermal-imaging
cameras and inspecting areas that were close to the origin of the fire.


Batchu Sudhir, the home owner, stated that he was preparing dinner for
his family when the fire started. Sudhir was cooking lamb chops when the
drippings ignited and eventually caught the bottom of the grill on fire.
While Sudhir attempted to put out the fire his wife called 9-1-1 and her
two daughters and a family friend evacuated the house. Shortly after
Sudhir left the deck (because the fire did not go out) the gas grill
exploded and caught parts of the deck and surrounding contents on fire.

Investigators on the scene attributed the fire to unattended cooking
and placed damages to the structure and contents at $10,000. No one was
injured during the fire and the damage was limited to the area or origin
including the deck, siding and patio furniture. 

- 30 -
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