Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia Fire Department responded to three fires in three days over the weekend, two of which have not yet had their cause determined.
Mores Boulevard barn fire
Firefighters started off their weekend responding to a fire in the 1600 block of Mores Boulevard on Saturday. CFD received calls from people in the area around 1 p.m. who reported seeing a large amount of smoke in the area. Chief Brian Schaeffer told ABC 17 News on Monday that firefighters were unsure of what was on fire when they arrived on scene.
Schaeffer said they eventually determined it was an older, unoccupied barn with historic value that had already burned down and was beginning to spread into the woods. Crews were able to contain the fire from expanding, but the barn is considered a total loss.
No injuries were reported in the fire and the cause is undetermined. Schaeffer also said there were not any witnesses of the fire that he is aware of.
The burning of the historical barn has sparked outrage and calls for more answers from some in the community on social media, including from Columbia resident and mayoral candidate, Tanya Heath.
“The fact that it survived the civil war, the depression, World War II, and Vitenam and it burnt on a Saturday morning in the winter time, is just very sad,” Heath told ABC 17 News on Monday. “It’s sad for the family. It’s sad for the community and it’s sad for the historic nature of the barn.”
A Columbia firetruck at the scene of a fire on Mores Boulevard on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. [KMIZ]
StorageMart fire damages 14 units
The following day, firefighters were called at 12:30 p.m. to a structure fire in the 2500 block of West Worley Street.
Schaeffer said there was a large amount of smoke in the area that initially appeared to be coming from the Dick’s Sporting Goods. However, it was determined the fire was coming from the StorageMart facility behind the store.
According to Schaeffer, there were 30 units within the building that had caught fire. However, firefighters were able to contain damage to 14 of those.
“There were a lot of tactical challenges for us. The site was very secure, so our truck companies had to force entry and we laid about a little over 1000 feet, four inch large diameter supply line which when it’s charged is extremely heavy,” Schaeffer said.
No one was injured in the fire and the Columbia Police Department is handling the investigation, which Schaeffer said is standard.
“We’re focused clearly on the cause of the fire and where the fire originated. The police department is responsible for the criminal investigation. They assume everything is criminal until it’s determined not to be so,” Schaeffer said. “The video footage, the access logs, any interviews that may have taken place, that’s the responsibility of the police department….in this case, our cause and origin has already been completed.”
Schaeffer said the two agencies will continue working together to determine the cause, which could potentially take weeks to nail down.
In a statement sent to ABC 17 News via email on Monday afternoon, Senior Vice President of Marketing Sarah Little said the fire affected approximately 20 units. Little said all of the affect customers have been contacted.
Little said the business is cooperating with the fire department who is working to determine the cause.
According to Little, the fire began shortly after a tenant briefly visited their unit to retrieve their items. However, that person was no longer at the property when their unit caught fire.
“We never expect accidents to happen, but are prepared in the event they do. StorageMart offers supplemental coverage, and those who were enrolled in that program may submit a claim by contacting our property manager at 573-556-8423,” Little wrote. “We also encourage customers to review their homeowner or renter insurance policies for potential off-site coverage.”
Worley Street fire deemed accidental
The final fire occurred early Monday in the 1400 block of West Worley Street, and shut down the road for about an hour.
Schaeffer said firefighters received calls from residents who said they smelled smoke just after 4 a.m. Crews found fire coming from the attic of the home and were able to put the fire out within 10 minutes. The fire was ruled an accidental electrical fire.
“Firefighters aggressively searched and determined that occupants were present and met us outside and they worked with our partners to keep them warm while we removed some of the ceiling, went in and extinguished the fire that was in the attic,” Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer said the home is not considered a total loss, but the ceiling sustained significant damage.
One person was evaluated on scene, but denied medical care.
Firefighters on the scene of a house fire on West Worley Street on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025.
Fire officials urge caution during colder months
The No. 1 cause of fires in Columbia remains cooking fires, but firefighters say during colder months, they start to see an increase in other kinds of fires.
One of those includes people using portable heaters to try and heat their homes as temperatures drop. However, problems can occur when people use these too close to combustibles. Schaeffer said he encourages people to ensure their heaters are at least three feet clear in all directions.
People should also opt to buy heaters that turn off automatically when they are knocked over, especially if they have larger dogs. Schaeffer also said they tend to see more children and dogs receive burns from heaters during colder months.
Schaeffer also encourages people to have their chimneys cleaned and inspected, as crews tend to respond to chimney fires as the temperatures drop as well.
“It doesn’t take very long for that carbon monoxide to accumulate and carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and can truly kill kids and families very quickly,” Schaeffer said. “Make sure that your alarms work and that includes smoke alarms outside of every living space on every floor and then the carbon monoxide to be that second set of eyes and nose for you.”
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