(Buford, Ga., May 10, 2016) – Firefighters responded at 6:19p.m., to a report of a townhome fire in the 1904 block of Pine Tree Drive, NE in (unincorporated) Buford near Lake Lanier.  Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames showing from the back of a (four unit) two-story townhome building over a basement.

Firefighters quickly deployed attack hose lines and entered the burning building to combat the blaze and conduct a primary search.  Crews were forced to back-out several minutes later due to advancing flames and a partial collapse.  Firefighters flowed water from multiple hose lines and an aerial ladder device to bring the fire under control and protect exposures.  It took firefighters approximately 30-minutes to extinguish the blaze.   

The fire caused heavy damage to two townhome units and smoke, heat and water damage to two adjoining units of the building.  The exact cause of the fire is currently undetermined and is under active investigation by the fire department.  The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance to occupants displaced from the damaged townhomes. 

All occupants of the townhome building were outside-safe when the fire department arrived and gave a verbal “all-clear” of the structure to arriving fire crews.  One adult female was evaluated at the scene by paramedics for minor exposure to smoke products.  She was released at the scene and did not require transport to the hospital.  There were no other injuries reported. 

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 5-Engines, 2-Ladder Trucks, 2-Medic Units, 1-Squad, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-Deputy Chief, 1-Rehab Unit, 1-Air & Light Unit, 2-Fire Investigators and 1-PIO