Columbia Negligent burning or exploding ordinance (§ 16-152)
Chapter 16: Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions · Article II. Code of Offenses
In short: Causing damage to someone else's property by fire or explosion through criminal negligence is a crime, classed as a class B misdemeanor.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) A person commits the crime of negligent burning or exploding when he with criminal negligence causes damage to property of another by fire or explosion.
(b) Negligent burning or exploding is a class B misdemeanor.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 16-152
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.