(Lawrenceville, Ga., July 21, 2016) –   Afternoon severe thunderstorms kept firefighters busy, Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 4p.m.  Below is a brief synopsis of several reported house fire incidents handled by Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services personnel.  Three of the incidents were actual working fires with extensive damage reported.

HOUSE FIRES:

1. Highland Oaks Way: Firefighters responded at 4:05p.m., to an occupant report of a house fire due to lightning in the 1600 block of Highland Oaks Way, NE in (unincorporated) Lawrenceville.  Crews arrived to find flames and smoke showing from the roof peak of a two-story wood frame house.  Firefighters quickly deployed attack hose lines and entered the structure to control the fire and conduct a primary search.  The occupants, a woman and children, were outside-safe when the fire department arrived and there were no injuries reported.  The blaze caused moderate damage to the roof area where the lightning struck.  Firefighters had to remove some of the roofing material and exterior siding in order to check for extension and to put the fire completely out.  Firefighters battled the blaze as storms were still moving through the area.

1. Brandy Creek Circle: Firefighters responded at 4:23p.m., to a neighbor report of a house fire due to lightning in the 500 block of Brandy Creek Circle, SW in (unincorporated) Lawrenceville.  Crews arrived to find flames showing from the attic and roof of a one-story brick and wood frame house over a basement.  Firefighters quickly deployed attack hose lines and entered the burning home to control the fire and conduct a primary search.  The fire caused heavy damage to the roof on the right-side and extensive damage inside part of the living space.  Firefighters battled the blaze as storms were still moving through the area.

1. Azalea Drive: Firefighters responded at 4:45p.m., to a neighbor and passerby report of a lightning strike and house fire in the 1400 block of Azalea Drive, NE in (unincorporated) Lawrenceville.  They neighbor banged at the door, but got no response.  Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames showing from the second floor and through the roof of a large two-story brick and wood frame house over a basement.  Firefighters quickly deployed attack hose lines to battle the blaze and conduct a primary search.  The fire burned away much of the roof and caused heavy damage to the structure and contents.  There was no one home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.  The homeowners were contacted by neighbors and family and arrived at the scene while crews were dousing hotspots.  Firefighters battled the blaze as storms were still moving through the area.

Dropbox Link – Azalea Drive Fire: 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bx9h3b4gtgvgi05/Gwinnett%20House%20Fire%20-%20Lightning%20-%20Azalea%20Drive%20in%20Lawrenceville%207-21-16.mp4?dl=0     

ADDITIONAL HOUSE FIRE REPORTS INCLUDED:

The below incidents were reported as possible lightning strikes, but were not actual working house fires.  Lightning may have hit the home and impacted electrical components or struck outdoors in close proximity, sparking a small smoldering fire.

-          200 block of Shyrewood Drive, NE in Lawrenceville

-          1000block of Lancaster Close, NW in Lawrenceville

-          3100 block of Paces Woods Drive, NW in Lawrenceville

-          4300 block of Gunnin Road, NW in Peachtree Corners

TREE DOWN ON HOUSE:

Firefighters responded at 4:12p.m., to a report of a tree or down on the back-corner of a house in the 1400 block of Stoney Field Place, NE in Lawrenceville.  There were no injuries reported. 

OTHER INCIDENTS:

Other calls responded to during the time period included several reports of injury auto accidents, alarms activated, wires down, citizen assists and routine medical emergency responses.