Body discovered after southwest Columbia house fire
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Firefighters found a person dead at a southwest Columbia house as they were investigating for hot spots Friday morning.
The Columbia Fire Department initially thought no one was inside the home in the 3900 block of Deerfoot Way in southwest Columbia a little after midnight Friday, CFD said in a news release. Firefighters found the body under debris as they were combing through the house looking for other spots that could flare up, the release says.
The victim's identity and cause of death are unknown right now.
Boone County Joint Communications sent an alert at 12:37 a.m. stating West Vawter School Road was closed in both directions at Creekfront Way due to a fire incident. The road reopened at 2:24 a.m.
The Columbia Fire Department arrived at the scene to find the attached garage of the home fully engulfed in flames, extending into the attic, Columbia Fire Capt. Joey Simmons said at the scene.
Simmons said firefighters used aerial hoses and ladders to put out the fire quickly. He said it took about 15 to 20 minutes.
The house sustained substantial damage but is not a total loss, he said.
ABC 17 News crews saw 6 firetrucks, an MU Health ambulance, police officers and a warming bus at the scene. The release said 11 CFD units with 24 firefighters were at the scene.
CFD and the Columbia Police Department are investigating.
As of now, the cause is unknown.
