(Tucker, Ga., May 7, 2022) – Firefighters responded at 1:22 p.m. to an occupant’s report of an apartment fire at Somerset at the Crossing apartments located in the 400 block of Summerwalk Parkway NW in unincorporated Tucker. The 911 caller was transferred from Dekalb County to Gwinnett County 911 and advised the apartment was on fire. Additional information advised of a possible kitchen fire with everyone evacuated from their apartment.

On arrival, crews located a working fire at a two-story, eight-unit apartment building. Fire attack hose lines were immediately deployed while a walkaround of the structure was completed. Heavy fire involvement was found throughout the first and second floor apartments extending to the attic on the left-rear corner of the building. Firefighters worked to quickly evacuate the remaining units while crews worked to knock down the flames. A total of three hose lines were deployed to control the blaze and bring the fire under control in approximately 20 minutes. During a search of the structure, two cats were found dead inside the primary fire unit on the first floor. A rapid intervention crew was established, and multiple ground ladders were deployed to second floor windows around the structure. Positive pressure ventilation was used to remove residual smoke from building. The two units that were originally involved sustained extensive fire damage. The other six units sustained minor smoke or water damage. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters determined the fire originated in the primary fire unit’s kitchen and was the resulted from the improper use of a cooking appliance. The occupants of the apartment stated there were three people home at the time of the fire and one person had recently cooked a pizza in a toaster oven on the kitchen countertop. When smoke was later seen coming from the kitchen, the occupants attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful and evacuated. Smoke alarms in the heavily damaged units were not working at the time of the fire according to the occupants.

The American Red Cross responded to the scene to provide temporary assistance to those displaced. Apartment management was also on scene working with tenants to relocate or restore utilities to the minimally affected right side of the building. A total of 20 residents including 14 adults and six children were displaced.

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-Rescue, 1-Squad, 1-Air/Light Unit, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Medical Supervisor, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-District Commander and 1-PIO

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