[Press Release] : Firefighters respond to early morning fire in central Columbia

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

Firefighters respond to early morning fire in central Columbia

COLUMBIA, MO (March 1, 2008) - Columbia firefighters were called just
before 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, to 310 North 8th St. for a report of
a residential structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find smoke and
flames from the roof of the story and a-half home on the east side of
8th St. 

The homeowner, Thomas Watson, had evacuated the home with his two dogs
and was not injured. Thomas told firefighters and fire investigators
that he had smelled smoke but did not see smoke or fire and was unable
to locate the source of the smoke. Within a few minutes the smoke in the
house increased and Thomas evacuated and called 9-1-1.

Firefighters had a tough battle as the fire was in the attic of the
home and had spread to a number of attic spaces that were not easily
accessible. Firefighters cut holes in the gables and roof to vent the
smoke and attacked the fire from the upper floor. Firefighters also had
a tough battle when breaching the ceiling to get to the fire as the
construction methods of the home, using plaster and lathe, made it hard
to pull ceilings. It took firefighters about 45 minutes to bring the
fire under control.

Firefighters also performed salvage operations in an attempt to protect
the personal property of the owner. 

The home was equipped with working smoke alarms, but the fire and smoke
were in the attic, hence the occupants first indication of a fire in
progress was not by the smoke alarms which were functioning later in the
fire, but by the smell of smoke. 

Fire investigators were able to determine that the fire was caused by
an electrical problem in a junction box in the attic area at the rear of
the house. Fire investigators estimate damage to the structure and
contents between $75,000 and $85,000. 

The homeowner/occupant will stay with friends until the structure can
be repaired. 

- 30 -
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