News Details
FIRE DAMAGES INDIAN VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER
(Norcross, Ga., Jan. 2, 2021) –Firefighters responded at 1:44 p.m. to an occupant report of a business fire at the Indian Village shopping center located at 2055 Beaver Ruin Road NW in the city of Norcross. The 911 caller was the property owner of the shopping center and advised a warehouse on fire. The Gwinnett County E911 Center advised multiple calls were being received from passerby’s in reference to smoke coming from the building.
Crews arrived on scene of a one-story commercial structure with heavy smoke pushing from the left side of the shopping center. The property owner directed crews to the fire unit. Following a walkaround of the structure, crews found heavy fire coming from a rear door. The door was pushed closed in an effort to restrict the oxygen available for the main body of fire. Fire attack hose lines were immediately deployed to the front of the fire unit. When crews made entry approximately ten feet inside the front door, crews encountered heavy smoke, heat and fire conditions. Crews were also faced with cardboard boxes stacked from floor to ceiling containing sugar cane paper supplies for a restaurant. Due to the significant hazard posed by the high-pile storage, firefighters redirected the hose line to the rear of the building where fire was initially visualized. Once redirected, crews were able to get water on the main body of fire and knock down the flames. Additional crews deployed another hose line to the front of the business and continued to extinguish hot spots. The businesses on both sides of the fire unit were checked for extension and only located residual smoke that was naturally ventilated. As crews transitioned to property conservation, an extensive overhaul process ensued to remove the massive high-pile storage in the fire unit and confirm extinguishment of hot spots. Positive pressure ventilation was performed to remove residual smoke from the affected businesses and utilities were secured. No injuries were reported.
A total of five businesses were affected by the fire. Zyka Indian Restaurant’s storage area was the original fire unit and sustained extensive fire, heat and water damage. Zyka’s main restaurant area not currently in operation sustained moderate fire, smoke and water damage in an area adjoining the storage area. Humos Restaurant Bar and Lounge located on the left side of Zyka’s had minor damage from residual smoke. Beaver Ruin Dental, Hibachi Noodle Sushi and Chow Time Grill and Buffet, located on the right side of Zyka’s storage area, also had residual smoke that was cleared with natural ventilation. The remaining businesses on the entire right side of the shopping center were not damaged by fire and only experienced minor interruptions in domestic water supply as the water was temporarily secured to the entire shopping center. The shopping center does not have automatic fire sprinklers. All businesses with the exception of Zyka’s two units were able to return to normal operations.
According to Zyka’s General Manager, he arrived at the business to retrieve supplies for other restaurant locations. After turning on the breakers for the lights, he began to smell something electrical in nature. He notified the property manager who came to investigate as well. The general manager left, and the property manager continued to investigate the smell. He then noticed smoke and fire inside the middle of the building towards the ceiling. He immediately retrieved a fire extinguisher and attempted to extinguish the flames but was unsuccessful.
A fire investigator was requested to respond to the scene for origin and cause determination. The fire investigator confirmed the fire originated in Zyka’s storage area. The cause is still undetermined and under investigation.
Firefighters encourage all citizens to practice home fire safety. Be sure to install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each bedroom. Develop a home escape plan and
practice fire drills regularly. Check and maintain home heating appliances such as the furnace, fireplace and space heater. For additional information on home fire safety, please contact the Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services’ Community Risk Reduction Division at 678-518-4845 or email fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.
Equipment at the scene included: 4-Engines, 2-Ladder Trucks, 2-Squads, 1-Water Tender, 1-Air/Light Unit, 1-Medic Unit, 1- Medical Supervisor, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-District Commander, 1-Deputy Fire Marshal, 1-Fire Investigator and 1-PIO
Note: Pictures of the incident can be located on Facebook and Twitter @GwinnettFire.
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