[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Fire Causes Significant Damage to Home on Blue Grass Ct

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Battalion Chief Steven Sapp, PIO
573-874-7557  Office  M-F 8-5
573-499-7035  Media Pager (Enter number you want PIO to call)

Fire Causes Significant Damage to Home on Blue Grass Ct

COLUMBIA, MO (November 12, 2011) - At 12:33 PM on Saturday, November 12, 2011, Columbia Fire Department units were dispatched to 2904 Blue Grass Court in south-Columbia for a report of a structure fire.

Units responded from Stations 1, 3, 7 and 8, and units responding from Stations 7 and 8 reported smoke showing soon after leaving their respective stations.

Fire units arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the roof of 2904 Bluegrass Court. A connected condo, 2906 Blue Grass Ct had smoke coming from the south eaves.

A passing motorist had stopped and knocked on the door of 2904 Blue Grass to ensure no one was home. No answer was received and the occupants of 2906 confirmed that the residents had left around noon.The two residents of 2906 were evacuated due to moderate smoke inside of 2906.

Fire fighters knocked a portion of the fire down from outside of 2904 and then crews made an aggressive interior attack to extinguish the fire in the kitchen and attic area. Crews were also checking to ensure the fire separation wall between 2904 and 2906 prevented the spread of fire. The fire separation wall held the fire to 2904.

The owners of 2904 Blue Grass arrived home about 1:30 PM. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Leith, told fire investigators that they had built a small fire in a Chiminea (and outdoor fireplace) on the deck in morning hours and prior to leaving to do some shopping, thought they had ensured the fire in the Chiminea had been extinguished by pouring two cups of water on the burning wood.

After examining the physical evidence and interviewing the home owners, fire investigator Debbie Sorrell concluded the origin of the fire was on the wooded deck on rear of the home, and the likely cause was embers in the Chiminea stirred by moderate winds which caught combustible material such as leaves on fire on the deck. The fire rapidly spread to the wooden siding, into the soffits and into the attic.

Smoke alarms were present and operational in both units. 

Primary damage estimates to the structure and contents exceed $50,000. The homeowners at 2904 were insured.

The owners of 2904 will stay with local relatives and the residents of 2906 were allowed to return to their home.

Fire officials remind residents, that outdoor fire places pose risks and to ensure that Chimineas (which do not carry a UL rating) should be used with caution on combustible surfaces. Additional care must be used to ensure the fire in the outdoor fireplace is extinguished completely before leaving or retiring for the night.

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