(Buford, Ga., March 20, 2019) – Firefighters responded at 5:14am to an occupant report of a house fire in the 50 block of Rowe Street, NE in Buford. The caller to 911 reported seeing flames and everyone getting out of the house. A police unit was the first to arrive and advised dispatch that the house was fully involved.

Fire trucks rushed to the scene and found heavy flames showing from the small wood-frame house on a crawlspace. Firefighters quickly deployed attack hose lines and established a positive water supply to support fire suppression efforts. The Incident Commander assigned interior crews for fire control and search operations. Firefighters worked fast to darken down the bulk of the flames and completed a primary search of the structure. There was no one found inside the house and no injuries were reported. The blaze caused heavy damage to the home and contents. The presence of working smoke alarms was unknown at the time of this release.

Per the Fire Investigator, the blaze appears accidental and was possibly sparked by careless smoking. An occupant told firefighters that she suddenly awoke to find her bed on fire and smoke filling the room. 

The American Red Cross was contacted to provide temporary assistance for the family (4-adults and 2-children) displaced by the damage.

According to fire service representatives, careless smoking and improper disposable of smoking materials are a leading cause of residential fires. Protect your home and family by following simple fire safety practices.

• Make sure all smoking materials are properly extinguished and discarded.
• Never smoke in bed or when you are extremely tired.
• Install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms.
• Develop a home fire escape plan and know two-ways out.
• Practice fire drills regularly. 

For additional information on home fire safety, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction Division at 678.518.4845 or email fire programs@gwinnettcounty.com.       

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 3-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Air & Light Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs and 1-Fire Investigator.