COLUMBIA — A woman suffered burns to her neck and both arms due to a fire in her home early Sunday morning.
The Columbia Fire Department responded to a dispatch at 12:49 a.m. Sunday at 1001 Westport St. in Columbia. They arrived to find smoke and flames billowing from the north side of the first floor, according to a press release.
The homeowner and sole resident, Barbara Chancellor, was transported to George Peak Memorial Burn Center at University Hospital for treatment. As of 4 p.m. Monday, she was listed in serious condition.
Chancellor was outside her home when firefighters arrived, but her cat and dog were still inside. The cat was rescued and is currently under the care of a neighbor. Stella, the dog, has not been located and is assumed to have died in the fire, Battalion Chief Steven Sapp said.
The firefighters got the fire under control in less than 20 minutes. The damage to the home is estimated to be about $75,000. Although unconfirmed, investigators believe smoking might have been the cause.