House fire under investigation by Columbia Fire Department

Columbia Fire Department is investigating the cause and origin of a Sept. 3 fire in an older local home. The department was called at about 10:09 p.m. and responded within four minutes to the 1100 block of Pannell Street finding a residence with heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story house. Firefighters entered immediately to search for anyone and begin the fire attack, the department said. Incident commanders raised the severity to a two-alarm fire due to the extreme environmental and incident heat and age and features of the structure. Personnel rotated often to shorten work cycles, cool off and get hydrated. It took about 35 minutes to get the fire under control. The residence did not have any occupants at the time of the fire and there were no reported injuries. Eight fire companies, four chief officers, one safety captain and two fire marshals — so 32 people total — were on scene. Columbia Fire Marshals Division is investigating the fire.