(COLUMBIA, MO) ~ Columbia, MO - In the early hours of Wednesday, Jan. 1, a fire broke out in an apartment building located in the 4300 block of Bellview Drive. The Boone County Joint Communications Center (BCJC) received a 911 call at 3:48 a.m. reporting a fire alarm and smoke odor in the building.

The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Boone County Fire Protection District (BCFPD), with their closest station located at 3900 South Scott Boulevard. However, due to limited response from BCFPD, two companies from the Columbia Fire Department (CFD) were dispatched on mutual-aid by BCJC to assist.

The first company to arrive on scene was CFD Quint 6, who reported a two-story apartment building with smoke showing and a working fire in one of the residential units. In response to this information, the on-duty battalion chief from CFD ordered a City of Columbia Fire Department box alarm, which immediately added six additional CFD companies to the incident.

Upon arrival, the four-person company from CFD forced entry into the involved unit and quickly began an aggressive interior fire attack using pre-connected hoselines from their apparatus. While searching for any potential victims, firefighters discovered an adult male just inside the entry door and successfully removed him from the building.

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Paramedics from University of Missouri Health Care EMS joined CFD firefighters to provide immediate medical care to the victim once he was removed from the structure. Despite their efforts, approximately 35 minutes after being removed from the building, he was pronounced deceased by MU Health Care EMS paramedics.

Thanks to quick response and efficient teamwork, no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported as a result of this fire. The additional CFD companies were able to extinguish the fire within five minutes and limit damage to only one unit. Adjacent residential units were also evacuated as a precautionary measure and checked for any signs of fire spread.

A total of eight CFD companies, with 21 firefighters, responded to the incident. However, the Boone County Fire Protection District is the authority with jurisdiction for this incident and any further inquiries should be directed to their agency.

The Columbia Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the importance of smoke alarms, closing bedroom doors, and knowing two ways out of every space in your home. These simple measures can save lives in the event of a fire. Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas, and should be tested monthly. It is also recommended to change smoke alarm batteries at least twice a year when adjusting clocks for Daylight Saving Time and to replace any smoke alarm over 10 years old.

As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, authorities urge residents to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety in case of emergencies.

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