[Press Release] : Electrical fire causes evacuation of Hickman High School

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Captain Eric Hartman - (573) 874-7644

Electrical fire causes evacuation of Hickman High School

COLUMBIA, MO (September 29, 2008) - Columbia firefighters were called
at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 29, to 1104 North Providence Road,
Hickman High School, for a report of a structure fire. During the
response of the initial units, the Columbia Fire Department received
additional information that the building automatic fire alarm had also
activated.

Fire crews arrived and discovered light smoke in the gymnasium. Further
investigation determined the smoke was coming from a 3-foot by 4-foot
utility service tunnel beneath the gymnasium. Firefighters entered the
tunnel and using thermal imagine cameras discovered an arcing electrical
junction box and small fire in some pipe insulation below the box.
Electrical service through the tunnel was disconnected and the fire was
extinguished. Fire crews used electric fans to assist with removing
smoke from the structure. There were no injuries and damage is estimated
at $3,000.

Investigators from the Columbia Fire Department were on scene and have
determined the cause to be an electrical malfunction.

All students and faculty were evacuated from the building for
approximately 30-40 minutes while fire crews worked at the scene. 

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