September Columbia house fire results in total loss, cause of fire still unknown

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The cause of a Sept. 20 fire in the 1000 block of Crestland Avenue in Columbia is still not known.

According to an investigation report from the Columbia Fire Department, the cause was “undetermined.” The report says the fire started in the kitchen.

Previous reporting indicates that no one was injured in the fire. Firefighters responded at 3:42 a.m. Sept. 20 for calls about a house fire. The fire report shows the fire resulted in a total loss of the building.

The report says the resident of the home, Phillip Bell, walked up to the scene around 10 a.m. He was later arrested by Columbia police for outstanding warrants, the report says.

“Philip was uncooperative and accused firefighters of burning his residence down. Philip refused to speak with me and walked away from the fire scene to the north. Philip was later arrested by the Columbia Police Department for outstanding warrants,” the report says.