(Lawrenceville, Ga., Sept. 12, 2021) – Firefighters responded at 12:50 p.m. to an occupant report of a house fire in the 200 block of Camden Park Drive SW in the city of Lawrenceville. The 911 caller advised his house was on fire and before crews arrived at the scene, the fire was spreading to neighboring homes.

Crews arrived on scene and located a well-involved two-story, split-foyer residence on a crawl space with heavy fire venting through the roof. The homeowner advised everyone had safely evacuated. Houses on the left and right of the primary structure were immediately threatened by radiant heat and direct flame impingement. Three crews rapidly placed into service three fire attack hose lines as a nearby hydrant was located for a water source. Two hose lines were immediately directed for exposure protection and knocked down visible fire that had spread to the neighboring homes. Another hose line was directed inside the front door in an effort to knock down the bulk of the fire. As additional crews arrived on scene, both threatened structures were quickly evacuated and searched for victims. Firefighters redirected a hose line to the rear of the home while the aerial ladder began operating from above. The bulk of the fire that had quickly torn through the home was knocked down approximately 30 minutes into the scene. With the bulk of the fire knocked down, crews were able to gain access to the interior of the structure to complete a search and extinguish hot spots. The interior of the structure was compromised and posed a significant hazard for firefighters with a partially collapsed floor system, attic and exterior walls. All crews were backed out of the structure and the aerial ladder was operated to complete extinguishment of hot spots. The scene was brought under control approximately an hour into the scene with 35 firefighters working cohesively to prevent further property loss. The primary structure sustained extensive fire damage and is considered a total loss. Two additional homes sustained moderate damage as the radiant heat and flames melted vinyl siding on the exposed side of the home. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

According to the primary structure’s occupants, a neighbor noticed the fire and quickly alerted them to evacuate and call 911. A total of 16 people were displaced from three homes including nine adults and seven children. The primary structure that is a total loss had five adults and two children displaced. The American Red Cross was notified and is providing temporary assistance to two of the homes.

A fire investigator was requested to respond to the scene for origin and cause determination. According to the fire investigator, the fire originated in the wall on the back side of the home. The cause is 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. 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: 5-Engines, 2-Ladder Trucks, 1-Squad, 1-Air/Light Unit, 2-Medic Units, 1-Medical Supervisor, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-Fire Investigator and 1-PIO

Note: Pictures of the incident can be located on Facebook and Twitter @GwinnettFire.