[Press Release] : Firefighters respond to early morning 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: Battalion Chief Steven E. Sapp, Public Information Officer -
(573) 499-7035

Firefighters respond to early morning fire

COLUMBIA, MO (March 15, 2008) - Columbia firefighters were called just
after 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, to 3605 Range Line St., Lot 5, of
Rustic Meadows Trailer Court for a report of a structure fire. 

Firefighters arrived to find that the fire, which caused heavy smoke
damage throughout the home and significant fire damage to the bathroom
area in the rear of the home, had been extinguished due to lack of
oxygen and primarily because a water line ruptured and applied water to
the fire. 

The residence was not occupied during the fire. The occupant arrived
home shortly after 11 a.m. and discovered the damage. Firefighters
conducted overhaul operations to ensure there was no hidden fire
remaining. The residents will stay with local friends until they can
move back to the home.

Fire investigators were called to the scene but have not released a
cause of the fire. The fire originated in the bathroom off of the master
bedroom at the rear of the trailer. Damage is estimated at $15,000 to
$20,000.

Firefighters and investigators did note that both smoke alarms in the
residence had been disabled, which means if the occupants would have
been at home and asleep, the chances of escaping the fire would have
been greatly reduced. 

Firefighters remind residents not to disable smoke alarms, change
batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year, test and clean smoke
alarms monthly, and replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. 

- 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