Residents escape house fire on Forest Avenue

COLUMBIA — Two Columbians escaped their home safely following a fire early Sunday morning.

Firefighters responded to a call just before 2 a.m. Sunday and arrived at 208 Forest Ave. to find smoke coming from the eaves of the house and from a light switch, according to a news release from the Columbia Fire Department.

According to the release, firefighters found and extinguished the fire despite the house’s balloon frame construction, which can allow fire to spread easily between floors because there are no stops in the walls between levels.

Smoke detectors in the house sounded, which alerted the residents, Colin Gallagher and Barbara Holdren. Gallagher, Holdren and their pets escaped without injury, according to the release.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and there are no damage estimates at this time, according to the release.