(Duluth, Ga., Jan. 7, 2020) - Firefighters were dispatched at 3:40am on January 7, 2020 to an occupant’s report of a house fire on the 3000 block of Dogwood Street NW in Duluth. The caller to 9-1-1 reported that the basement was on fire.

Crews found the single-story house on a basement engulfed in flames on arrival. Firefighters immediately deployed fire attack hose lines to combat the blaze. The fire was brought under control with multiple 1¾-inch hand lines and a 2½ -inch line. Per the Incident Commander, firefighters were not able to flow the aerial ladder due to safety concerns with overhead power lines at the roadway. There was a collapse of the floor system into the basement, which forced crews to fight the fire from outside the structure. The exterior walls and roof were still intact, but were deemed unstable due to the fire damage and collapse of the main-level. A DWR tractor was requested to knock down the walls in order to complete extinguishment and to eliminate any further collapse hazards.   

The occupants were home asleep at the time of the incident and were awakened by the smoke alarms sounding. The smoke alarms were installed by firefighters on December 11, 2016 during an ongoing initiative to reduce risk in the community. This family reaped the immediate benefits of “Prevention 365” and escaped unharmed. The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance for 5-adults and 1-child displaced from the home.

Per the Fire Investigator, the blaze originated in the back-left corner of the basement but the cause is listed as undetermined based on the amount of destruction due to fire and collapse.

This morning’s fire serves as a tremendous example why residents are encouraged to practice fire safety.  Working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms is a great starting point. Families should also develop a home fire escape plan and 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 fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.

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