January 1, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Fire Damages North Highland’s Home

A fire that appears to have started on the front porch of a North Highland’s neighborhood home caused heavy fire and smoke damage to the residence early this morning.

Firefighters were summoned to the home at 1020 Foster Street at 2:19 a.m. this morning. They arrived to find the structure’s front porch, living rom and a front bedroom heavily involved in fire, and smoke billowing from its roof. The resident, A.C. Osborne and several New Year’s revelers at the home were able to escaped unharmed before fire crews arrived. The property is managed by Screen Fellows Inc.

According to Fire Captain Gene Williams, the fire was increasing difficult to extinguish because of several false wooden ceilings. "We had to get through the porch and living room first and once inside there were several layers of fire in the multiple ceilings that we had to cut through to reach," says Williams. The fire was brought under control at 2:54 a.m. Fire investigators are listing the fire as suspicious as the investigation of the exact cause continues.

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