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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Battalion Chief Gary L. Warren, Jr. - (573) 499-7035

Newly-rented apartment catches fire

COLUMBIA, MO (July 1, 2008) - Boxes inadvertently placed on a stove was the cause of an apartment fire on Columbia’s east side in the Links Apartment Complex. Just before 5 p.m. firefighters were called to a commercial structure fire at 5109 Clark Lane, Apartment 202, where it was reported that the unit was on fire and all occupants were out (only one other unit has a resident who was not home at the time, apt 203).

Firefighters arrived within five minutes to find light smoke showing and active fire on the stovetop and the cabinets above. A pressurized water extinguisher was used to put out the fire with a backup line just outside the front door of apartment 202.

Investigators stated that while the occupants (Roger Kirsch and son Zachery) were moving into the apartment, some personal belongings were placed on the stovetop and a burner at some point was accidentally turned or bumped into the “on” position. Zachery Kirsch attempted to extinguish the fire, but evacuated the apartment and called 9-1-1 as the smoke conditions intensified. Initial damage estimates to the structure and the contents is listed at $3,500.

Although the smoke detectors did not play a role in alerting the occupants, they were sounding when firefighters arrived on the scene. There were no injuries during this incident.

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