Fire investigators from the Columbia Fire Department and the Boone County Fire District have completed their fire scene examination and determined that the fire that occurred at 10:17 a.m. at 4301 Vermont Court was likely the result of an undetected, smoldering ember in the attic.

After the earlier fire that occurred in the garage of the home, fire fighters spent almost two hours on the scene overhauling and investigating that blaze. During that time, three separate fire crews using thermal imaging cameras checked the attic areas for possible fire extension and detected none. "Our crews were in the attic space multiple times and didn't detect any unusual heat, discoloration, or smoke" said Columbia Fire Captain John Metz. "The original garage fire consumed mostly contents and did not breach the drywall of the room. Air currents may have carried an ember through the attic scuttle and remained undetected" Metz said.

When conducting overhaul at a fire scene, fire fighters remove as much material as possible to ensure the fire is extinguished.  Fire crews have to balance this destructive process to put the fire out, while trying to save as much property for the homeowner. "It is unusual, but on rare occasions, something like this can happen" Metz said.