(Lawrenceville, Ga., July 19, 2016) – The following is a brief synopsis of two notable incidents that were handled by fire and emergency services personnel.  It does not include all calls responded to during the time period.  There are no photos or video available from either incident.

GAS LEAK OUTSIDE:

Firefighters responded on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 8:42a.m., to a report of a natural gas leak outside on Duluth Highway (Pike Street/HWY 120) near Highway 316 in Lawrenceville. 

The leak was directly across the street from the Quik Trip and Gwinnett Medical Center.  All lanes of Duluth Highway were temporarily closed between Phillip Boulevard and Highway 316. A construction crew digging in the area struck a 2-inch high-pressure gas line close to the roadway.  An emergency crew from Lawrenceville Gas responded to the scene to stop the leak.  The gas company had to dig in three-separate locations to clamp the line and closed a valve in order to stop the leaking product. 

The hospital’s main entrance off Pike Street was blocked due to the leak.  All traffic for the hospital was redirected by police to the entrance off Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.  The incident impacted traffic in the immediate area, but did not disrupt hospital operations or patient services.  A unified command was established with Gwinnett Fire, Lawrenceville Police and Security from Gwinnett Medical Center.  Nearby businesses were asked to shelter-in-place, but did not have to evacuate.  Firefighters monitored gas readings and deployed a hose line on the ground to protect gas company workers and potential exposures. Lawrenceville Gas was able to stop the leak at 10:30a.m.  The roadway was reopened and all businesses returned to normal at 10:38a.m. 

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Hazmat Unit, and 1-Battalion Chief

ABANDONED STRUCTURE FIRE:

Firefighters responded on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 3:05p.m., to a report from a passerby of a possible woods fire off the roadway on Hog Mountain Road, NE near Braselton Highway in (unincorporated) Hoschton.  The caller was unable to provide an exact location for the fire. 

On arrival, crews found a visible column of smoke back in the woods that was not conducive with a brush fire.  Firefighters discovered an abandoned ranch-style house on a basement that was fully involved.  The house was approximately 800-feet off the roadway.  Additional units were requested to assist with fire control efforts.  The house sits on land that’s owned by a developer and is currently being excavated. Firefighters were hampered due to access issues because of a large-dirt pile in the front and the driveway bulldozed. 

There was no one at the house when fire trucks arrived and no injuries were reported.  Firefighters worked in their gear during the heat of the day and rotated through an on-scene rehab in order to stay cool, rehydrate with fluids and have their vital signs checked before returning to fire-ground activity.  Crews operated at the scene until just after 6p.m.    

The exact cause of the fire is currently undetermined and is under investigation. 

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 3-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Rehab Unit, 1-Battalion Chief and 1-Fire Investigator