(Auburn, Ga., March 26, 2022) – Firefighters responded at 11:20 p.m. to a reported burn violation on Hayes Road in Auburn. The caller to 9-1-1 reported hearing a loud pop and then walking outside to see a large amount of smoke.

The first arriving crew encountered heavy smoke out to the road as they pulled up. They soon located a house with heavy smoke showing and requested a full assignment for a working residential fire. The crew pulled a hose line to make an interior attack through the garage and search for possible victims. As they entered the open garage door, they encountered the victim on the floor and quickly removed them to the driveway where it was determined that the victim was deceased.

The fire was brought under control, but the house sustained heavy fire damage throughout with collapse of a large portion of the second floor. According to Fire Investigators, the fire started in a downstairs bedroom and spread throughout the interior of the home. The fire appears accidental, but the exact cause is undetermined.

The body was turned over to the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and cause of death determination. The Fire-PIO is unable to release the name of the deceased victim or provide specific injury information due to Federal Patient Privacy Laws known as HIPAA. There were no other injuries reported.

This tragic fire serves as a reminder to install and properly maintain smoke alarms on every level of the home. When you hear the sound of the alarm, get out fast and do not reenter the house. Develop an escape plan and practice it so that everyone knows what to do and where to meet. For additional information on fire safety, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction Division at 678.518.4845 or email fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.

Incident photos available on Facebook and Twitter @GwinnettFire.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: Engines- 4, Ladder Trucks-1, Squads-1, Medic Units-2, Chief Officers-4, Air and Light Units-1, Fire Investigators-2 and PIOs-1.

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