News Details
EVENING FIRE RESPONSE BRIEFS
(Lawrenceville, Ga., January 17, 2018) – The following is a brief synopsis of two fire incidents handled this evening by fire and emergency services personnel. It does not include all calls for the time period.
HOUSE FIRE:
Firefighters responded at 6:45 p.m., to an occupant report of a chimney fire at a house in the 1400 block of Shelly Circle, NW in (unincorporated) Lawrenceville. Crews arrived to find an active fire in the chimney chase on the side of a split-level, wood-frame house. Firefighters quickly deployed attack hose lines and entered the home to extinguish the flames and conduct a primary search. Crews found extension in the attic over the second-story and had to open up the wall and ceiling to control the fire. The blaze caused extensive damage to the chimney chase and part of the attic space. There was residual water damage on the main-level and smoke throughout the house. The blaze appears accidental and was sparked by a fire burning in the fireplace. This was reportedly the first time the occupants had used the fireplace. The occupants were home at the time of the fire and escaped unharmed. They declined Red Cross assistance and were being assisted by nearby family and neighbors. The scene was declared under control by 7:24 p.m. There were no injuries reported.
EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 4-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Air & Light Unit, 1- Rehab Unit, 1-Battalion Chief and 1-Deputy Chief
KITCHEN FIRE:
Firefighters responded at 6:39 p.m., to an occupant report of a kitchen fire in an apartment in the 1000 block of Hartford Run, NE in Buford. The caller to 9-1-1 reported a fire in the kitchen. Crews arrived to find light smoke showing from a single-story apartment building on a slab. Firefighters made immediate entry and quickly deployed a water extinguisher to douse a small smoldering fire. The blaze appears accidental and was sparked by food cooking on the stove unattended. The fire was contained to the kitchen and caused minor damage to the stove and cabinets. The incident was declared under control by 6:48 p.m. There were no injuries reported. The occupants were not displaced from the apartment.
EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 2-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck and 1-Squad
SAFETY MESSAGE:
Firefighters encourage all citizens to practice home fire safety. Never leave food cooking unattended on the stove. Turn the stove burners off when leaving the kitchen or going to sleep. Keep a portable fire extinguisher close at hand to douse a small fire before it spreads.
Have all home heating appliances serviced annually by a qualified technician. Burn a small fire in the fireplace, just enough to heat the room. Be sure to put the fire out in the fireplace before going to sleep or when leaving the home.
Install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice fire drills regularly.
For additional information on home fire safety, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction/Education Section at 678.518.4845 or e-mail fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.