[Press Release] : Fire damages south Columbia apartment building second time

[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: Captain Eric Hartman - (573) 874-7644

Fire damages south Columbia apartment building second time

COLUMBIA, MO (February 18, 2009) - Columbia firefighters were called at
5:21 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, to 1909 Waverly Court, Apartment 8, for
a report of a structure fire.

Firefighters found smoke coming from the apartment building. Fire crews
entered the structure and found flames inside the bathroom of apartment
8, which were brought under control within 10 minutes. Crews used
electric fans to remove the remaining smoke and heat from the home.
Thermal imaging cameras were used to ensure there was no area of hidden
fire in the structure. Moderate fire damage was contained to the
bathroom, with significant smoke damage throughout the apartment. There
were no injuries and damage is estimated at $5,000. The building is
managed by Callaghan and Galloway Property Management. The Red Cross is
providing emergency housing assistance to the occupants of apartment 8.

The occupant, Laura Rezek, reported to fire crews that she awakened to
heavy smoke in the apartment and saw an "orange glow" on the bathroom
floor. Rezek evacuated the apartment and called 9-1-1 for fire
department assistance.

Investigators from the Columbia Fire Department were on-scene and have
determined the fire was caused by smoking materials being improperly
discarded into a bathroom waste basket.

Smoke alarms were present in the apartment; however, failed to operate
during the fire.

This apartment building was damaged by a previous fire on July 17,
2008. In that incident, an unattended barbecue grill resulted in fire
damage to apartments 7 and 3, as well as an exterior wooden deck.

Residents are urged to ensure they have working smoke alarms installed
in their home. Your risk of death in a fire is reduced by 50 percent if
you have properly working smoke alarms installed. City of Columbia
residents can still obtain smoke alarms at no cost by visiting the
Columbia Fire Department Administration Office at 201 Orr Street, or by
contacting the Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Local 1055 at
573-823-6942. 

- 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