COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Records obtained by ABC 17 News show that warming fires have caused more than $682,000 worth of damage so far this year. According to data from the Columbia Fire Department, within the past year, crews have responded to 18 warming fires.
Of those fires, an estimated $682,200 worth of damage was done but only five arrests have been made. “It's not a staggering amount and it's not a staggering impact to the fire department, currently. But it is a situation where we need to work upstream, start collaborating across the silos and start working together on outcomes that would move would move that number to a lower number,” Columbia Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said.
The largest warming-fire incident this year occurred on March 17 at the Ninth Street Noodles and Company , resulting in $250,000 worth of damage. During Monday’s City Council meeting , Ward 2 Councilwoman Lisa Meyer raised concerns over the number of warming fires being reported and what can be done to improve the situation. Schaeffer responded by saying that while the amount of damage caused by warming fires seems like a lot for a department that responds to “16,000-to-20,000 incidents a year,” it is important to look at the bigger picture.
“There is definitely uniqueness as to all the situations, tons of variables. The fire code doesn't preclude people from using a warming fire or a cooking fire. It should be on their property.
Obviously, that should go without saying, but it needs to b.
