No injuries reported in southwest Columbia fire
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
No injuries were reported from a structure fire in southwest Columbia on Saturday.
An ABC 17 News Reporter arrived at the 4900 block of Craydon Drive at around 4 p.m. Saturday, where they saw Columbia Fire Department crews responding to a home with a hole in the roof and smoke showing.
The reporter also saw at least two Columbia Fire Department engines and at least 5 CFD vehicles on scene. An MU Health Care ambulance was also in the area.
According to a CFD press release, the fire has been determined to be an accident, with crews saying the cause was determined to be electrical and related to roof-mounted solar panels.
Columbia Fire Chief Brian Shaeffer said that crews were dispatched around 3 p.m. Saturday, and upon arrival, saw a working fire on the roof of the house.
Shaeffer adds that the home is occupied by a family of 4.
"Two were inside. Two were outside, just pulling into the driveway. As they pulled in, they saw the fire, alerted the two who were inside," he said.
Chief Schaeffer said that the 2 who were inside said that they did not notice the fire, and the fire alarms did not activate.
Adding that once the first crews arrived, CFD decided to update the fire to a second alarm.
“Because of the fire progression throughout the attic when we opened it up. And simply, it is absolutely hot today," he said.
Additionally, Chief Schaeffer said due to solar panels that were on the roof of the house, the fire created a toxic, noxious smell
Schaeffer said that the heat also played a factor in the additional response.
"So our firefighters are going through several bottles. Those bottles, all those bottles, are filled with air that has been dehumidified. So, as much water as we drink, we sweat it right out," he said.
Adding that the loss was predominantly confined to the attic area.
"We did everything we could to stop damage on that first floor," he said.
With temperatures in the low 90s this afternoon CFD put in place protocols to ensure that all of their firefighters were safe in the heat.
Chief Schaeffer said that the heat does not take long to start having consequences on crews' bodies.
“Our firefighters are going through several bottles. Those bottles, all those bottles, are filled with air that has been dehumidifier. So as much water as we drink, we just sweat it right out," he said.
Additionally, he said having extra crews on scene allowed CFD to rotate firefighters to prevent overheating.
“Our firefighters, when we get this hot, we rotate and limit work cycles and hydrate as much as possible. Plus, that second alarm gave us well over 30 firefighters. So we have the bench strength to take care of our people,” he said.
During intense heat, Scheaffer said that crews work in cycles of around 30 minutes. Once the cycle is up, crews then go into what's called "formal rehab" to ensure they do not overheat.
“They're monitored by our partners at the ambulance services, as well as a battalion chief who's managing that area. They're just making sure that they get hydrated and their vitals are taken," he said.
Adding that once they are determined to be okay, they are then able to go back to work.
Scheaffer said that this protocol is very routine for structure fires like the one that occurred today.
