[Press Release] : City of Columbia Missouri Information Request

[Press Releases]

For Immediate Release:
Fire Starts on Scaffolding During Power Plant Chimney Restoration 

Columbia Fire Fighters were called at 0943 am on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, to 419 5th Street, the University of Missouri Power Plant, for a reported commercial structure fire.

Fire crews arrived on the scene at 09:48 and found smoke showing from a section of working scaffolding that was suspended from the north chimney of the University of Missouri Power plant. As crews made their way up to the fire construction crews, on the scaffolding, began using a garden hose to knock down the fire. Fire crews then finished the extinguishment and overhaul of the scaffolding and the surrounding roof areas. 

Sumner Dismukes the senior project manager for McCarthy, the general contractor for the north and south chimney restoration stated that crews from NAES Power Contractors were cutting away a permanent CEMS platform several feet above the working scaffolding when a fire started on the working scaffolding. He explained that the working scaffolding was covered with canvas tarps to prevent debris from flying away from the tower during repairs. He also explained that fire blankets had been placed over the canvas tarps to protect them from the materials falling from the platform. 

The fire was investigated by Assistant Fire Marshal Debbie Sorrell who indicated that it was hot slag from the cutting operation above the working scaffolding that started the fire. She also stated there were no injuries and there was no damage to the chimney or the equipment being used to refurbish the chimney.  AFM Sorrell also indicated that the reason the CEMS platforms were being removed was to facilitate a new exterior covering on the chimney which will also have two new platforms installed.
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