The Columbia Fire Department responded to a structure fire with visible exterior damage at 962 Forest View Drive off of West Park Drive. The lone male occupant of the home, Allan Middendorf, exited safely.

The fire call went out shortly after 4 a.m. Tuesday. Dupo and Millstadt fire assisted at the scene, as did Columbia police and EMS.

Neighbors reported flames shooting from the rear portion of the home. Middendorf, who had fallen asleep on his couch in the front portion of the home, was awakened by smoke and quickly evacuated the home. He called 911 from a neighbor’s residence. A cause of the fire is not yet known.