Columbia Fire Department responds to commercial structure fire, March 14

On Saturday, March 14, at 8:47 a.m., Columbia Fire Department (CFD) companies were dispatched to an automatic alarm at the City's Grissum Shop Building in the 1310 block of Lakeview Avenue.

CFD's first company arrived within four minutes to find the large maintenance building locked and secured with an audible fire alarm sounding and a fire suppression system that was actively flowing water to the sprinkler system. The first company upgraded the alarm to add additional resources and forced entry into the west side of the building. Once open, firefighters experienced heavy smoke and heat as they began to stretch hoselines to the fire. Four of the building's sprinkler system heads had activated above the fire in an attempt to suppress the fire below them and keep it from spreading to adjacent commercial vehicles and storage. Firefighters then fully extinguished the flames within 10minutes, completed a search of the entire structure and took control of the suppression system. Fortunately, there were no occupants inside the structure at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.

A total of five fire companies with 21 personnel responded to the scene.

The Columbia Fire Marshals are currently conducting an investigation into the origin and cause of the fire.

Today's fire highlights the importance of properly maintained fire alarm and fire suppression systems in commercial buildings. These systems are designed to detect fire early and slow its spread until firefighters can arrive. A common misconception is that when one sprinkler activates, they all activate. That is not the case. In most systems, only the sprinkler heads exposed to significant heat from the fire will operate. This targeted response helps control the fire, protect the building, and reduce danger to both occupants and firefighters.

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To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.