(Suwanee, Ga., January 19, 2016) – Gwinnett County Firefighters responded on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 3:36p.m., to an occupant report of a house fire in the 300 block of Privet Circle in Suwanee.  The blaze was brought under control by 3:53p.m.  There were no injuries reported.

Firefighters arrived to find moderate flames and smoke showing from the second floor balcony of a two-story wood frame house.  The fire was already burning on the exterior balcony and partially in the attic as firefighters deployed attack hose lines.  Crews made a quick knockdown on the flames and were able to stop the spread of fire in the attic.  Two adult occupants, husband and wife, had just returned home when they were alerted to the fire by a neighbor.  The couple escaped unharmed and called 9-1-1 to summon the fire department.  The second floor of the home sustained residual smoke and water damage due to the fire.  Firefighters had to remove part of the sheetrock on the ceiling and wall upstairs to check for extension.  Per Fire Investigators, the blaze appears accidental and originated on the balcony due to improperly discarded cigarettes.  The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the family displaced by the damage.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, careless smoking is among the leading causes of home fire deaths in the United States.  To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you must be alert.  Never smoke if you are sleepy, have taken medication that makes you drowsy or have consumed alcohol. Use a deep sturdy ashtray and never discard cigarettes in outdoor landscape materials or potted plants.  Be sure to soak cigarette butts with water before discarding them in the trash.  Smoking indoors may increase the likelihood of an accidental fire.       

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED:3-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Medic Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-Air & Light Unit, 1-Fire Investigator