(Norcross, Ga., September 30, 2019) – Firefighters responded at 3:22am to an occupant report of residential fire in the Norcross Mobile Home Village located at 4498 Buford Highway NW in unincorporated Norcross. Caller to 911 advised the storage shed was on fire and getting close to the home. Additional callers reported the fire was spreading to the home and everyone had evacuated.

Fire crews arrived on scene and found a storage shed heavily involved in flames with extension into the home. The occupants reported everyone had safely exited the home. Two additional homes were in close proximity to the fire and considered immediate exposure risks. Firefighters rapidly deployed multiple fire attack hose lines to knock down the bulk of the blaze and protect the exposures. Once the fire was knocked down, a complete search of the home was performed. Firefighters remained on scene for several hours to complete the extinguishment of hot spots. The home is considered a total loss due to significant fire, smoke and water damage throughout the entire structure. Two additional homes had moderate damage to the vinyl siding due to the intense heat from the blaze.

A Fire Investigator responded to the scene for origin and cause determination. The investigator determined the fire originated in the storage shed beside the home but the cause is still undetermined and under investigation. The fire does not appear suspicious in nature.

An adult female in the home advised she was awakened by a popping and crackling noise and upon investigation found a fire in the storage shed next to the home. She was able to alert the other occupants in the home and safely evacuate. According to the occupants, smoke alarms were not present in the home. Three adults and one child have been displaced due to the damage. The American Red Cross was requested to assist with temporary needs. One dog had escaped the home during the fire and was located several hours later.

Firefighters are reminding citizens that October is Fire Prevention Month in Gwinnett County. Residents are encouraged to keep their home and family safe by following simple fire safety rules:

• Install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms.
• Develop a home fire escape plan and practice fire drills regularly.
• Keep a portable fire extinguisher close at hand to douse a small fire.
• Look for and eliminate home hazards that could cause a fire to start or grow in intensity.   

For additional information on home fire safety, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction Division at 678-518-4845 or email fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.  

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 4-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 2-Medic Unit, 1-Water Tender, 1-Air/Light Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-Fire Investigator and 1-PIO

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