Fatality Fire on Lakeview Avenue

(COLUMBIA, MO) - The Columbia Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire at 1115 Lakeview Avenue on Thursday, January 17, 2019.  Initial information from the 911 center indicated someone may be inside.

Units arrived less than five minutes later and observed heavy smoke coming from a single story residence.  Fire crews deployed a preconnected hoseline and performed an aggressive interior fire attack.  They located an occupant in the rear of the home, quickly removed them and began life saving efforts along with University Hospital ambulance personnel.  Unfortunately the subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Assistant Fire Marshal’s Mike Bauer and Jim Pasley were dispatched to perform a fire origin and cause investigation.  The area of origin was the living room.  The cause was determined to be a candle.  There were no working smoke alarms in the home.  Damage to the structure is estimated at $16,000.  The Columbia Police Department is working to notify next of kin.  No additional information on the deceased will be released until those notifications are made.

Eleven units from the Columbia Fire Department were dispatched to this call.  There were no other reported injuries.

The Columbia Fire Department reminds citizens to never leave candles unattended and that smoke alarms save lives.  Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of your home and outside places where people sleep.  Check your smoke alarms every month by pushing the test button and replace batteries every six months.  Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years.