[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Fire Heavily Damages North Columbia Home - Update

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Captain John Metz
Duty PIO Pager 573-499-7035 (24 hours - Please No Voice Mail)
Office 573-874-7644 (M-F, 8-5)


Fire Heavily Damages North Columbia Home - Update

COLUMBIA, MO (February 16, 2012) - Shortly after 4:00 p.m. today, Columbia Fire personnel were en route to 5107 Hatteras Drive for a routine follow up inspection of the residence that was earlier damaged by fire. As the fire unit approached the scene they could see smoke coming from the eves of home. The fire crew immediately requested additional assistance for the incident. At almost the same time, a local news crew that was on the scene and a neighbor called 9-1-1 to report the smoke.

As the structure was heavily damaged from the earlier fire, crews initiated a defensive fire attack from outside the structure. The roof of the home sustained significant fire damage but crews were able to control the fire in about 15 minutes.

Despite extensive overhaul operations, which lasted more than three hours after the earlier fire, an undetectable smoldering ember in the roof structure may have ignited this second blaze. Columbia Fire Investigator Lt. Shawn McCollom investigated both fires and believes this fire started above the ceiling of the first floor. After the first fire, crews spent hours removing debris, pulling ceiling drywall, and using thermal imaging cameras to ensure the fire was out. "This is a good example of why we return to the scene of a significant fire to follow up on the structure's condition. We fight fire very aggressively but have to balance property conservation at the same time" said Fire Captain John Metz. "We have to balance the destructive nature of overhauling the fire damage to put the fire out while trying to save as much property for the homeowner. On very rare occasions, something like this can happen"Metz said.

Fire crews from both the Columbia Fire Department and Boone County Fire District remained on the scene this evening for an additional two hours.


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