Columbia porch fire caused by ‘improperly discarded smoking materials’

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A porch that caught fire Tuesday night in the 7400 block of Oakley Drive in southwest Columbia was caused by “improperly discarded smoking materials,” according to a Wednesday press release from the Columbia Fire Department.

"While the Columbia Fire Department reminds residents to utilize extreme caution when approaching hazards such as this, we recognize these efforts led to the minimization of damage and prevented injuries to the resident," Columbia Fire Deputy Chief John Ambra said in the release.

A resident was found sleeping inside the home by firefighters, the release says. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters arrived to the scene and saw neighbors controlling the fire with a garden hose, the release says.