(Norcross, Ga., April 7, 2018) – Firefighters responded at 6:51 a.m. to an occupant report of an apartment fire at Villas De La Vista Apartments, 900 block of Sparrows Lane NW in unincorporated Norcross.  The caller to 911 reported a lot of smoke visible from the roof and evacuations in progress. Another caller reported flames coming from the roof shortly before the fire department arrived.

Crews arrived on scene to find a working fire in a three-story, wood-framed apartment building with 20 units. Firefighters had smoke and fire through the roof on arrival. An aggressive interior attack was made by first arriving units. Multiple attack hose lines were operated to bring the fire under control. The building was divided by a fire wall that prevented fire extension to the other half of the structure. A total of five units were affected by the fire. Two occupied units sustained heavy damage from fire, smoke and water. Two additional occupied units sustained moderate damage from fire and water. One unoccupied unit on the bottom floor sustained only minor water damage.

Smoke alarms alerted sleeping occupants who were able to successfully evacuate the rest of the units prior to the fire department arriving. A total of eight adults and eight children were displaced by the fire and all have declined American Red Cross assistance. No occupant or firefighter injuries were reported.

A Fire Investigator was requested to respond and assist with the origin and cause determination. The fire originated in the wall space between adjacent laundry rooms on the second floor. The cause of the fire is still under active investigation.

Firefighters encourage all citizens to practice home fire safety. Be sure to install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each bedroom. Develop a home escape plan and practice fire drills regularly.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 5-Engines, 3-Trucks, 1-Squad, 1-Air/Light Unit, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Medical Supervisor, 1-Battalion Chief, 1-Deputy Chief, 1-Fire Investigator and 1-PIO.