(Duluth, Ga., Jan. 20, 2026) – Firefighters responded late Monday night to a structure fire at the Cortland Duluth Apartments, located at 1335 Herrington Road NW, following multiple reports of smoke entering apartment units.

At approximately 11:52 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the scene and arrived within minutes to find smoke and fire coming from a lower-level unit of a multi-story apartment building. During a size-up of the scene, firefighters discovered several occupants trapped on upper floors due to the fire conditions.

Firefighters immediately initiated rescue operations, deploying both ground and aerial ladders to reach the trapped occupants. Multiple residents were safely rescued, and three individuals were evaluated and treated by medical crews at the scene before being released.

Once all occupants were safely removed, firefighters advanced multiple hose lines and utilized elevated master streams to bring the fire under control. Due to concerns about the building’s structural stability, firefighting operations transitioned from an offensive to a defensive strategy after evacuations were completed. Search crews later confirmed that the 28-unit apartment building was fully evacuated.

Firefighters achieved control of the fire at approximately 1:27 a.m. No additional injuries were reported. Apartment management confirmed that 26 of the 28 units in the affected building were occupied. The American Red Cross is working with property management to assist displaced residents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 4-Engines, 2-Ladder Trucks, 1-Squad, 1- Rescue, 3-Med Units, 1-Hazardous Materials Response Unit, 4-Command Staff Vehicles, 1-Air & Light, 1-Fire Investigator, and 1-PIO.

Note: For pictures of this incident please visit our Facebook page @GwinnettFire.