Additional fire crews to help Russellville, Lohman after fire at headquarters

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Firefighters were called to the Russellville/Lohman Fire District headquarters early Saturday morning after a vehicle caught fire inside one of the station's bays.

According to a social media post from the district, crews arrived just before 5:30 a.m. to Fire Station 1, located at 5423 Route AA in Russellville, to find heavy smoke and flames coming from a brush truck parking inside the building.

Due to the intensity of the fire and smoke, several pieces of apparatus inside the station were not immediately accessible, the post says. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in about 15 minutes.

While no injuries were reported, district officials say all equipment housed in the building will undergo thorough inspections before being returned to service. The station houses multiple fire apparatus, including engines, tankers, and brush units, as well as training and administrative areas.

The post says automatic aid was requested at Saturday morning's fire. The Cole County Fire Protection District, Cole County EMS, Cole County Sheriff’s Department and Regional West Fire Protection District assisted at the scene.

"Due to the current situation, automatic aid is in place from surrounding fire departments to help cover the district with emergency calls," the post states.

An investigation into the cause is underway.