(Lawrenceville, Ga., May. 21, 2025) – Shortly after midnight, the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northern Gwinnett County after radar indicated a storm moving across the region at 50 mph. At 2:01 a.m., firefighters responded to a report of a house fire on the 1900 block of Grouse Court NW in Lawrenceville. The caller reported that lightning had struck their house, causing a fire, and that everyone was in the process of evacuating.  

Firefighters arrived at 2:08 a.m. and reported flames venting from the attic space of a single-family, split-level home. Fire crews immediately deployed multiple fire hoses to attack the flames and begin searching the house for victims. The roof collapsed shortly after a firefighter entered the house, injuring him. The firefighter was assisted outside of the home by fellow crew members, where he was assessed and treated for his injuries. After the collapse, firefighters vacated the burning home to attack the flames from the exterior and protect neighboring houses. Fire crews brought the fire under control shortly after 2:30 a.m.

Medical crews transported the injured firefighter to Grady Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The hospital has released the injured firefighter. In compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the injured firefighter’s name will not be released. No other injuries were reported at this incident. Bystanders told firefighters that everyone, but their teenage son, was asleep when the fire started. The son reported that he observed lightning strike the house above the kitchen before seeing flames. The son then alerted everyone to the presence of fire, enabling a safe escape, before calling 911. The Red Cross will assist nine adults and three children displaced by the fire. Firefighters on the scene said that the cause of this accidental fire was a lightning strike.   

This incident emphasizes the importance of practicing fire escape drills in the home and having a common meeting place, such as the mailbox or a tree. Our community fire educators are available to help residents develop safe practices around the home. To speak with one of our fire educators, please call 678.518.4845 or email FirePrograms@GwinnettCounty.com.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 4-Engines, 1- Ladder Truck, 1- Squad, 1- Rescue, 2- Med Units, 3- Command Staff Units, 1- Air & Light, and 1-PIO.

Note: For pictures of this incident, please visit our Facebook page @GwinnettFire.

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