GWINNETT FIRE MEDIA E-NEWS RELEASE UPDATE: FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES STORM RESPONSE ACTIVITY FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018

The following is a brief synopsis of afternoon and evening storm response activity for Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services personnel on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.  The department activated its Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for call dispatch procedures due to increased storm-related incidents.  A strong thunderstorm moved through the area packing wind, heavy rain, and intense cloud-to-ground lightning.  Fire Command Staff monitored call volume and assisted with prioritizing calls for dispatch from the Operations “War Room” at Fire Headquarters.  The department returned to normal dispatch operations at 8:02 p.m.  The below incidents are in addition to the working condominium fire on Mateo Walk in Lawrenceville. 

Fire officials encourage residents to stay weather aware and be prepared to take cover during storm conditions.  If you suspect a lightning strike to your home, be sure to check the attic and the basement.  If you encounter smoke or flames, evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1.  If it’s not your house, look out the window to see if lightning may have hit a neighboring house.  Turn-off electrical appliances and equipment until the storm passes.  Avoid be outdoors in the lightning.           

BUSINESS FIRE:

Firefighters responded at 5:42 p.m., to a report of a possible fire at the Georgia Baptist Convention Building, 6405 Sugarloaf Parkway, NW in unincorporated Duluth.  Crews found nothing showing from the exterior of the large multi-story commercial office building on arrival.  Firefighters established a lobby sector and conducted a recon of the building.  The fire alarm panel showed two separate activations within the structure.  There was no sign of smoke or fire found and occupants were allowed to return to the building.  There were no injuries reported.  The false alarm is believed to have been caused by a power surge during the storm.

TREE DOWN ON A HOUSE:

Firefighters responded at 5:57 p.m., to a report of a tree down on a house in the 3900 block of Ferncliff Road, SW in Snellville.  Crews arrived to find a large tree down on a vehicle and on the front of the house.  Occupants were home at the time and escaped out a window due to the front door being blocked by the tree.  The tree caused minor damage to the front of the home and pulled the electrical service line away from the structure.  The vehicle sustained heavy damage.  There were no injuries reported.  The Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance for the displaced family.

HOUSE FIRE:

Firefighters responded at 6:19 p.m., to a report of a house fire due to lightning in the 2000 block of Calmwater Court, NW in Suwanee.  The caller reported a fire in the wall and was advised to evacuate.  There was no sign of smoke or fire from the exterior on arrival.  Firefighters checked the inside with a thermal imaging camera (TIC) and found the breakers tripped for the den and HVAC system.  The homeowner was advised to contact an electrician for repairs.

TREE DOWN ON A HOUSE:           

Firefighters responded at 6:23 p.m., to a report of a tree down on a house in the 1200 block of Sydney Pond Circle, NW in Lawrenceville.  Crews found a tree that fell on the back of the house and caused moderate-extensive damage to part of the roof and second floor.  An occupant was home at the time and was not injured.

TREE DOWN ON A HOUSE:

Firefighters responded at 6:25 p.m., to a neighbor report of a tree down in the front yard of a house in the 700 block of Garden Grove Drive, NW in Lawrenceville.  The tree was down across the electrical service line and caused moderate damage to the front of the house.  There was no one home at the time and no injuries were reported.  Firefighters were unable to make contact with the property owner and secured the area with scene tape before returning to service.

HOUSE FIRE:

Firefighters responded at 6:23 p.m., to an occupant report of a house fire due to a lightning strike in the 2400 block of Arnold Mill Road, NW in Lawrenceville.  Crews arrived to find a working fire in the attic and flames breaking through the roof.  Firefighters quickly deployed fire attack hose lines and made immediate entry to extinguish the fire and conduct a primary search.  Two adult male occupants (father and son) were outside-safe when the fire department arrived and no injuries were reported.  The blaze caused extensive fire damage to the attic and roof; and smoke and water damage to the second floor and main-level.  The Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance for the displaced occupants.  

REPORTS OF WIRES DOWN:

There were several reports of wires down due to the storm.  Not all resulted in actual live wires being down.  Below is a brief list.

-          Sugarberry Lane, SW in Lilburn

-          Rocky Road, SW in Lawrenceville

-          Scenic Highway, SW at Constitution Boulevard in Lawrenceville

-          Park Place Drive, SW in Lawrenceville

-          Dorsey Circle, SW in Lilburn

-          Buford Dam Road, NE in Buford

-          Stonemont Drive, SW in Lilburn

-          Pleasant Hill Road, NW in Duluth

-          Cedar Wood Drive, SW in Lilburn

-          Atkinson Road, NW in Lawrenceville

Additional calls for service included a gas leak, routine medical emergencies, alarms activated, vehicle accidents and woods fires.  The above information does not include all calls for the time period.