[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Fire Causes Minor Damage to Apartment Building

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Captain John Metz
Duty PIO Pager 573-441-6608 (24 hours - Leave detailed message)
Office 573-874-7644 (M-F, 8-5)


Fire Causes Minor Damage to Apartment Building

COLUMBIA, MO (August 17, 2012) - At 10:02 a.m. today the Columbia Fire Department responded to a reported commercial structure fire near the intersection of Hitt Street and University Avenue in central Columbia. The 9-1-1 caller stated there was a fire in the rear of the apartment building.

Columbia fire fighters arrived on the scene within four minutes and were directed to the alley behind the Dumas Apartments, a 27 unit, three story apartment building located at 1005 University Avenue. Fire fighters discovered a smoldering fire in the exterior wall of a first floor apartment. Fire fighters removed a small section of plaster, a window, and several pieces of wooden trim to access any remaining embers and ensure the fire was extinguished.

The owner of the building, Jack Richardson, stated he had been using a propane torch to remove paint from the exterior of the building when he noticed a small fire in the wall where he was working.  Richardson and another worker used a garden hose and dry chemical fire extinguishers to extinguish most of the fire.

Columbia Assistant Fire Marshal, Lt. Brian Davison investigated the fire and confirmed that the fire was the result of a propane torch igniting combustible building materials. There was minimal fire damage to the interior of the apartment building. Damage to the structure is estimated at $2000. The building was evacuated for approximately 45 minutes and fire crews were on the scene for approximately one hour overhauling the fire damage and ventilating smoke from the building. There were no injuries. Smoke alarms were sounding in the apartment building. The building owner stated the affected apartment would be inhabitable by this evening.

The Columbia Fire Department wants to remind residents 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.

 

A photo is attached to this release. 


This release has the following attachments:

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=141



 -30- 

______________________________________________________

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.
______________________________________________________

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/
______________________________________________________

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/