Columbia Fire Department responds to residential structure fire, April 3

On Friday, April 3, at 9:05 p.m., Columbia Fire Department (CFD) companies were dispatched to a residential structure fire in the 200 block of West Old Plank Road.

CFD arrived within four minutes to find heavy fire coming from a single-story home. Firefighters immediately entered the structure to simultaneously search for residents and begin fire attack. Firefighters were challenged by heavy flames and dense smoke in the garage as the fire extended to the home's attic. Tactics were employed to vertically ventilate above the fire while simultaneously placing firefighters with hoselines below to stop the fire's forward progress. Companies had the fire safely under control within approximately 20 minutes of arrival.

The only occupant who was home at the time of the fire had evacuated the structure prior to CFD arrival and did not sustain any injuries. Four kittens were rescued by firefighters during their search in the home's basement and all were safely reunited with their owner. Crews remained on scene for approximately two hours protecting the owner's property and extinguishing any hidden fire.

A total of five fire companies, two battalion chiefs and one safety captain with 20 personnel responded to the scene.

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

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• Columbia Fire Department responds to residential structure fire, April 3

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