Fire at Orr Street Studios ruled accidental, report states
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A July 21 fire at Orr Street Studios in Columbia was started unintentionally, according to a fire incident report.
The fire has since left the business closed. A sign posted on the door of the business on Wednesday showed it was still closed.
The fire incident report claims $110,00 of contents and property were lost in the fire. The report states a heat source was “too close to combustibles” and listed cardboard as the type of material that contributed most to the spread of fire. An arson investigation report states that a cigarette and matchbook were used to start the fire.
The report claims that human factors contributing to the fire to start was: “Asleep.”
According to Columbia Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Lester Shewmake, crews were called to the studio around 2 a.m. for a "rubbish" fire behind the building.
Lester stated crews arrived to find a warming fire that they were able to put out within two minutes.
However, after further investigation, Shewmake said they found the fire was next to the building and caused damage to the inside of the building, including the structure where the artwork was stored. Shewmake also said smoke and damage to the exterior of the building were found.
Shewmake said the cause of the fire could have started from the warming fire, but it's still under investigation.
"There were some personal items there so we don't know... it was something personal discarded," Shewmake said. "So, it could have just been from a warming fire, it could have been from something else but we're still under investigation."
An arson report also lists a cigarette and matchbook as part of the investigation. CFD spokeswoman Katherine Rodriguez said the fire is still under investigation.
The fire incident report states the caller who reported the fire believed it was a homeless individual's stuff set on fire. The report also states a homeless person was "involved" in the fire;. however, Rodriguez says that terminology does not confirm a homeless person started the fire.
An ABC 17 News reporter saw workers making repairs to the exterior of the building Wednesday evening, including patching up the remainder of the exterior wall.
Hanging pipes, installation and debris still scattered the floors of the art studio on Wednesday.
Co-president of Orr Street Artists Guild Anne Jacobson confirmed on Wednesday that the studio will participate in the First Friday Art Walk this week. However, Jacobson said the event will be held on the patio instead and people will not be allowed in the building.
