(Grayson, Ga., October 14, 2018) – Firefighters responded at 4:02 a.m. to an occupant report of a house fire in the 1800 block of Bennett Road SW in Grayson. Caller to 9-1-1 reported the house was on fire.

Fire crews arrived on scene in three minutes to find a single-story, wood-framed residence with heavy fire involvement throughout the entire structure and through the roof. A live power line had burned away from the home and was lying across Bennett Road. Firefighters used caution as they quickly deployed fire attack hose lines and began to battle the blaze from the exterior. A detached garage on the rear of the structure was an immediate exposure that was protected with a hose line and sustained radiant heat damage to the siding. Multiple hose lines and a ladder truck were operated to knock down the fire and bring it under control. The home is considered a total loss with extensive fire damage throughout and a complete collapse of the roof.  No injuries were reported at the scene.

The occupant stated he had been smoking in a bedroom and left a cigarette unattended while he went to the kitchen. The occupant started to smell smoke and discovered a fire in the bedroom. It was reported that a smoke detector was possibly in the hallway of the home but did not activate. A Fire Investigator was briefed on the origin and cause by the Incident Commander. One adult male and three dogs were displaced and are accepting assistance from the American Red Cross.  

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: 3-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Medic Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs and 1-PIO