Columbia police ask FBI for help investigating Planned Parenthood fire

The Columbia Police Department has asked the FBI to assist with investigating a suspicious fire at Planned Parenthood Great Plains Columbia Health Center.

The center is temporarily closed after the fire caused “limited” damage to the building Sunday morning. Columbia Police Department spokesperson Jeff Pitts said the department is actively investigating after an assistant fire marshal’s investigation determined it was suspicious.

“We are fortunate that no one was at the health center at the time of the incident, and there were no injuries,” Planned Parenthood said in a statement.

Maintenance crews were working to get the building reopened as soon as possible. Planned Parenthood staff members were contacting patients Monday to reschedule appointments.

Fire crews responded to a fire alarm around 4 a.m. Sunday. Authorities said the sprinklers inside the clinic put the small fire out.