[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ****Update****House Fire on Fourth Avenue Under Investigation

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Assistant Fire Chief Brad Fraizer
Office - 573-874-7557 Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

****Update****House Fire on Fourth Avenue Under Investigation

COLUMBIA, MO (August 2, 2016) - Columbia Fire Department investigators are working with Columbia Police Department detectives on the cause of the July 25, 2016 fire at 207 Fourth Avenue.

 

Careful review of lightning strike data indicate the closest cloud to ground strike occurred within .6 miles of the house. Additionally, burn patterns and other evidence at the scene are not consistent with a lightning strike.  Consequently investigators are reviewing surveillance video, conducting interviews and waiting on results of samples taken from the scene that are being evaluated for ignitable liquids.

 

Anyone with information regarding this event is encouraged to contact the Columbia Police Department at 573-874-7404 or Crime Stoppers at 573-875-8477.

 

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The Fire Marshal's Division received a lightning strike data report for the morning of July 25, 2016.  That report shows over one hundred 'cloud to ground events' or lightning strikes, in a five mile radius from 207 Fourth Avenue including some strikes in close proximity to this address.  Fire investigators continue to compare this data with fire patterns in the structure to determine the cause of the fire.  It's worth noting there is a margin of error in lightning reports. Reported locations are not precise.  

This investigation is on going.  More information will be released once it becomes available.

 

 

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The Columbia Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire at 207 Fourth Avenue on Monday, July 25, 2016 at 5:47am.  Fire crews arrived on the scene approximately three minutes later and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the home.

Fire personnel performed an aggressive fire attack using pre-connected hose lines and had the fire under control in approximately twenty minutes.

The house was vacant at the time of the fire.  There were no reported injuries.

Assistant Fire Marshal Joel Pauley estimates damage at $20,000.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.  This event occurred during a heavy thunder storm, consequently the Fire Marshals Division is reviewing lightning strike data while determining the origin and cause of the fire.  Additional information will be released once it becomes available.

Nine units from the Columbia Fire Department responded to this call.  



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