(Buford, Ga., February 4, 2018) – Firefighters responded at 12:41 P.M. to a report of a business fire at the 100 block of East Main Street NE in the historic business district of downtown Buford.  The caller to 9-1-1 reported that smoke was coming out of the crawlspace.

Crews arrived on scene to find a three-story commercial structure with smoke coming out of the crawlspace on the backside of the building.   Per Battalion-3, there was active water flow coming from inside of the building.   Firefighters had to force entry into the structure by using a K-12 saw to cut through two doors on the backside of the building.  While the firefighters were working on gaining access, other crews were rapidly evacuating adjacent businesses until the fire could be located and extinguished.  Upon entry, crews found two sprinkler heads that had been activated and were suppressing the fire. Firefighters had already deployed handlines and immediately began attacking the rest of the fire as they made their way into the structure.  The fire had begun extending up a wall on the first floor towards the second floor but the aggressive attack by firefighters kept any further fire damage from occurring.

There is extensive water damage, moderate smoke damage, and minor fire damage noted in the business. There were no reported injuries.

Fire Investigators have determined that the fire was accidental and electrical in nature.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 6-Engines, 2-Trucks, 1-Squad, 2-Medic Units, 1-Air and Light Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-District Commander, 3-Fire Investigators, 1-PIO