(Norcross, Ga., Nov. 7, 2021) – At 9:22 a.m., firefighters responded to the report of a fire at the Elevate at Jackson Creek Apartments located at 3246 Sunrise Village Lane NW in Norcross. The caller to 9-1-1 reportedly saw smoke and flames and the building being evacuated.

The initial crews arrived on scene and confirmed a working fire at the two-story apartment building. Multiple handlines were deployed as fire personnel went into an offensive mode of fire attack. Rescue was the priority as a ground ladder was used to help a resident evacuate a top floor balcony on the opposite end of the building. Two canines also had to be rescued. As conditions began to deteriorate, the Incident Commander backed everyone out of the building. The mode of operation changed to defensive as an aerial ladder was set up to smother the flames from above. After successfully bringing the blaze under control, firefighters went back inside of the building to mop up the hotspots. Searches confirmed that everyone had made it out of the building safely. Three residents requested to be checked out by paramedics, but the assessments did not reveal anything requiring transport to the hospital. Refusals were signed by the three patients.

Three units suffered severe fire damage with the other seven units sustaining smoke and water damage. One of the units was vacant. American Red Cross is assisting approximately 16 displaced individuals and their pets. Per the Fire Investigator, smoke alarms were present, and it was revealed that one resident tried to extinguish the flames during the initial stages of the fire. The rest of the investigation determined that the accidental fire was caused by improper storage of flammable liquids near a hot water heater.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 7-Fire Engines, 2-Fire Trucks, 1-Rescue Unit, 1-Squad Truck, 2-Med Units, 2-Battalion Chiefs, and 1-Fire Investigator.