Columbia Fire Department responds to commercial structure fire, May 26

At 7:13 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, Columbia Fire Department (CFD) companies were dispatched to a commercial structure fire in the 1600 block of Amelia Street.

CFD companies arrived within three minutes of initial dispatch to find smoke showing from the second story of a two-story apartment complex.

While residents of the complex were evacuating, firefighters entered the structure to simultaneously search for potential residents and begin the fire attack. The flames were contained to the room of origin and firefighters had the fire safely under control within approximately 12 minutes of arrival.

There were no occupants inside the unit at the time of the incident and there were no reported injuries.

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

The Columbia Fire Marshals Battalion has conducted an investigation into the origin and cause of the fire and determined the fire to be caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.

City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.

City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.