News Details
FAMILY ESCAPES FIRE THAT DESTROYS HOME
(Lawrenceville, Ga., November 8, 2019) – Firefighters responded at 11:08pm to an occupant report of a house fire in the 800 block of Cruiser Run SE in unincorporated Lawrenceville. The 911 caller reported the basement on fire and advised everyone had evacuated the residence.
Fire crews arrived on scene to find a two-story, split-foyer residence with heavy fire involvement in the rear of the structure with smoke billowing from the front door and eaves of the attic. All occupants had evacuated prior to arrival and were safely outside. Fire attack hose lines were quickly deployed to the rear of the structure and the front door for an aggressive fire attack. As firefighters entered the structure from the front door and made their way up the stairs, conditions were rapidly deteriorating with flames breaking through the roof. Due to the heavy fire involvement through both floors and the roof, the decision was made to back crews out and transition to a defensive mode of operation. An aerial ladder was placed into operation to knock down the flames from above and bring the fire under control. Once the fire was brought under control, firefighters were able to gain limited entry inside the home due to the compromised floor system. Crews worked from various access points around the structure to completely extinguish hot spots. The home sustained extensive damage throughout and is considered a total loss. There was no reported damage to neighboring homes. No injuries were reported at the scene.
A family member on the first floor was awakened by heat and the smell of smoke. Upon investigation, the occupant found smoke on the first floor of the home and alerted everyone else to evacuate. Smoke alarms had activated as the family was evacuating. A total of eight occupants were displaced from the blaze including four adults and four children. The American Red Cross is providing temporary assistance.
A Fire Investigator was requested to respond to the scene for origin and cause determination. It was determined the fire originated on the first floor in the left-rear corner of the home adjacent to the garage. The cause is currently 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 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, 1-Air/Light Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-District Commander, 1-Fire Investigator, 1-Assistant Fire Marshal and 1-PIO
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