[Press Release] : Press Release Holiday Inn - 2200 I 70 Drive Southwest - Fire Sprinkler Activation

[Press Releases]

Columbia Fire Department Press Release   03-02-2011

Contact:

Battalion Chief Steven Sapp
573-874-7557 (Office M-F 8-5)
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Fire Sprinklers Extinguish Guest Room Fire At Holiday Inn on I-70 Drive Southwest

(Columbia, MO) - Columbia fire fighters were dispatched to the Holiday Inn at 2200 I-70 Drive Southwest at 6:50 PM on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 when the fire alarm system was activated. 

While fire fighters were en route to the building, hotel employee's called 9-1-1 to report that there was a confirmed fire in room 633 which was unoccupied. Guest's of the hotel were being evacuated and smoke was reported on the 6th floor. 

Fire fighters arrived and found that the fire had been extinguished before they arrived when two fire sprinkler heads in the room activated as designed. The fire appears to have begun in or near the wall mounted air-conditioner/furnace. Fire investigators are on the scene working to determine the cause of the fire. 

Fire fighters were able to quickly isolate the fire sprinkler heads thus stopping the flow of water. Hotel guest's were allowed to quickly return to their rooms and the hotel remains open for business. There were no injuries to hotel guests, staff, or fire fighters. Fire damage was minimal compared to likely fire damage had fire sprinklers not been present. Fire crews were assisting hotel staff to mop up some water in the hallway and two rooms below where the fire occurred. 

Fire sprinklers have an excellent track record in reducing the damage done by fires and have been a code requirement in hotels and motels after the 1980 MGM Hotel fire in Las Vegas claimed 84 lives. 

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