[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Early Morning Fire Sends One to Hospital

[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)


Early Morning Fire Sends One to Hospital

COLUMBIA, MO (March 2, 2012) - At 5:21 a.m. this morning the Columbia Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 1411 Bass Avenue. The 9-1-1 caller stated she smelled smoke in the building and could see smoke coming from one of apartment's windows.

Columbia Firefighters arrived on the scene and found smoke coming from a second floor window on the east side of the three story, 23 unit apartment building. Firefighters began evacuating residents and located the fire in apartment 207. Fire crews found a futon-type mattress on fire in the apartment and attacked the fire with a portable water extinguisher. Firefighters then removed the mattress from the building and extinguished the smoldering remains.

The only occupant of apartment 207, a 59-year-old male, was exiting the apartment as firefighters arrived at his door. He was transported by ambulance to Boone Hospital for possible smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries.

Columbia Fire Department Investigator Lt. Lisa Todd determined the cause of the fire was smoking materials that ignited bedding material. Damage to the building and contents is estimated at $2000. There were no working smoke alarms in the apartment.

The early morning fire was discovered by another building resident as she was leaving for work. "Fortunately this fire was discovered and reported before it caused significant damage or loss of life" said Columbia Fire Captain John Metz. "Working smoke alarms reduce your risk of dying in a fire by 50%. They are essential to provide the early warning needed to safely escape a fire. Had an alert neighbor not been awake at such an early hour, the outcome might have been tragic"Metz said.

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.


 -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/