One dead and one hospitalized after house fire in north Columbia

EDITOR'S NOTE: The number of fire victims has been corrected.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department has confirmed the death of a man in a house fire in north Columbia early Monday morning.

A second adult was hospitalized in serious condition.

Capt. Wayne Cummins, of the Columbia Fire Department, said firefighters were called to 4706 Derby Ridge Dr. at 1:42 a.m. for reports of a house fire. Crews arrived on scene eight minutes later and found heavy flames coming from the front of the home.

Cummins said firefighters battled the blaze from the back of the home and went through two windows, where they found the victims inside. One victim died at the scene. Another was taken to University Hospital in critical condition, according to Lt. Anthony Bowne with the Columbia Police Department.

According to a press release from the CFD. CPR was performed on both victims as well as a CYANOKIT to help with possible smoke inhalation.

The first victim was pronounced dead on the scene. Two cats were also found dead at the scene.

The fire was out just after 2 a.m. No firefighters were injured. Two cats were killed in the fire.

An ABC 17 News crew on scene saw eight firetrucks, three ambulances, a fire marshal, and multiple CPD officers.

CFD's release reports around 14 units and 28 personnel on scene. The fire was put out within 30 minutes.

Several neighbors told an ABC 17 News reporter that scenes that large were uncommon for the area. Neighbors also reported seeing fire shooting out of the roof of the home. One woman who lived next door added that she was woken up to a knock on her door after someone driving through the area saw the fire and woke her up to warn her.

Crews cleared the area just after 7 a.m.

Columbia fire marshals are still investigating the cause of the fire.