[Press Release] : McNab Drive explosion/fire update

[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 

McNab Drive explosion/fire update 

COLUMBIA, MO (March 15, 2008) - Columbia fire investigators continue to
compile reports and statements concerning the incident at 308 McNab on
March 14 at 11:21 a.m. 

Investigators will need time to digest reports, statements, photo and
video, and other information before determining a cause for the
explosion and fire.

Fire investigators report that Merna Sneed remains in critical
condition as of 3 p.m. at the George Peak Burn Center at University
Hospitals. Fire investigators are hopeful that Mrs. Sneed’s condition
will improve enough so that she may provide information which would aid
in the investigation.

The Columbia Fire Department has received several calls asking about
the safety of natural gas. The department offers these basic safety
tips:

● If you smell natural gas in a building, leave and call 9-1-1 from a
phone outside of the building. Do not turn on lights or other appliances
as this action may cause enough spark for ignition of the gas.

● If you smell natural gas outside, call 9-1-1 from an area where you
no longer smell the gas.

● Have appliances which use natural gas checked by qualified service
personnel to ensure they are working correctly. 

● Have qualified personnel check the plumbing system inside your home
to ensure that it is good condition, fittings and joints are tight, and
piping has not suffered any physical damage. 

● Again, natural gas has a very distinctive smell. Gas companies add
the chemical Mercaptan to the gas to give it an odor most people
describe as “rotten eggs.” If you smell gas, leave the building and
call 9-1-1 and allow emergency personnel to investigate.

- 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