Two-alarm Columbia house fire ruled accidental fire that started in clothes dryer

By Brian Hauswirth
langham fire 01.23.26

Columbia firefighters are offering several safety tips involving clothes dryers, after Friday’s fire that caused major damage to a home on Langham drive.

Columbia Fire Department (CFD) investigators say Friday’s two-alarm fire caused heavy damage to the home on Langham, including toxic smoke. The fire killed a dog, a bird and a fish.

langham fire 01.23.26
More than 40 Columbia Fire Department personnel worked Friday’s two-alarm fire on Langham drive (January 23, 2026 photo courtesy of CFD)

CFD says it was an accidental fire that started in a clothes dryer. The fire department offers several safety tips, including having your clothes dryer installed and serviced by professionals and cleaning lint out of the vent pipe annually.