(Buford, Ga., December 2, 2022) - Firefighters responded to a report of a house fire this afternoon on the 5700 block of Avonley Creek Drive NE in Buford at 12:54 p.m. Multiple neighbors placed 911 calls to report a house on fire in their neighborhood. At least one caller stated that the homeowner worked at night, and no one had seen him escape.

Firefighters arrived at 1:00 p.m. to find a two-story, single-family dwelling on a slab with heavy fire showing. Three cars were parked in the driveway. Crews deployed one 1 ¾-inch handline to perform a rapid search for the homeowner. The remaining crews on the scene deployed ground ladders to search windows for victims and performed a walk-around. Due to deteriorating structural conditions, firefighters withdrew from interior operations. Incident command enacted a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) and confirmed that all firefighters operating on the scene were safe and accounted for. A ladder truck was used to knock down the bulk of the flames. Firefighters continued to extinguish hot spots with two 1 ¾- inch handlines. While crews contained the fire, the homeowner was identified standing on the sidewalk with his wife. He confirmed that the house was vacant at the time of the fire.

There were no injuries reported during this incident. The family of 6 stated they would be staying with other family members during repairs. Firefighters rotated through rehab before returning to service. The cause of this fire is undetermined.

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

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

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