Downtown Columbia parking garage reopens after fire
A downtown Columbia parking garage reopened Friday afternoon after a vehicle fire caused $60,000 in damage.
The fire department was sent to the call at about 10 a.m. inside the garage at Eighth and Cherry streets, according to a news release. Crews found a flaming passenger vehicle on the second floor and brought the fire under control in about five minutes, the department said.
The Columbia Public Works Department tweeted at about 3:30 p.m. that the garage had reopened.
The fire brought a large response that included police closing off the street. People downtown shot videos showing smoke billowing from the garage. The blaze damaged roof decking material on the second floor above where the vehicle was parked, the department said.
Firefighters at the scene said the structure suffered electrical and smoke damage. Columbia Public Works employees were at the scene to evaluate damage to the electrical and lighting systems. Smoke from the fire was visible outside the garage while the fire burned.
No one was hurt.
