[Press Release] : City of Columbia Missouri Information Request

[Press Releases]

Unattended Cooking Leads to Kitchen Fire

Columbia Fire Fighters and members of the Boone County Fire Protection District were called at 18:43 pm on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 to 112 Snow Mass Drive in North Columbia for the a report of a residential structure fire.

Fire crews arrived and found heavy smoke coming from the residence and all of the occupants had safely evacuated. Crews were informed that neighbor's had extinguished the fire using an ABC fire extinguisher and a garden hose. Upon entering the home, fire fighters found the fire had been extinguished but the home was still charged full of smoke. Crews checked for fire extension in the attic and used a large fan to remove the smoke and heat from the structure. .  

Assistant Fire Marshal Ron Fisher spoke with Homeowner, Katie Madden-Aker, who stated she had been preparing to cook some chicken and left the kitchen for a short time. She was alerted to the fire when she smelled smoke. Shortly after that the smoke detectors sounded. She stated she tried to use the fire extinguisher but needed assistance. She left her home and alerted her neighbors who came to assist her. Her neighbor Brady Williams entered the structure with her fire extinguisher and knocked the fire down. He then retrieved the garden hose from the back yard to finish extinguishment but needed to exit the structure because of the smoke. His brother Derek Williams then entered the structure and used the garden hose to finish extinguishing the fire.

Katie Madden-Aker suffered smoke inhalation while trying to fight the fire and was evaluated at the scene by Paramedics but she was not transported to the hospital. No other injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Fire investigators have determined the cause of the fire was unattended cooking and damages are estimated at $18,000.00.

The Columbia Fire Department wants to remind residents to use caution when cooking, never leave cooking unattended, and that working smoke alarms do save lives. Test your smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button. Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. To ensure adequate protection, place smoke alarms in every sleeping room, and in a common area on every floor. If you can not afford a smoke alarm, call the Columbia Fire Department at 573-874-7556 to schedule an appointment to have free smoke alarms installed. For residences who need assistance in checking their smoke alarms, they can also contact the Columbia Fire Department. 
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