(Tucker, Ga., Mar. 1, 2021) – Firefighters responded Monday at 10:51 p.m. to a resident report of a vehicle that crashed into the side of an apartment building and damaged the natural gas meters. The incident occurred at the Somerset at the Crossing Apartments, located at 100 Summerwalk Parkway, NW in unincorporated Tucker. The impact ignited a fire that engulfed two apartment units on the end of the building.

Crews arrived to find an SUV that went off the roadway and hit the side of the building at the meter base. There was heavy smoke and flames showing from two apartment units as firefighters deployed fire attack and water supply hose lines. First-arriving companies were challenged by an intense fire and an active gas leak from the damaged meters. Firefighters confirmed that the building was evacuated and worked aggressively to stop the spread of the flames.

Fire crews were not able to immediately extinguish the flames due to the burn-off of gas vapors emitting from the damaged meters. An emergency crew from Atlanta Gas Light was requested to respond to the scene to stop the leak and allow firefighters to put the fire completely out. The main body of fire was knocked down at 11:15 p.m. and the scene was declared under control at 12:35 a.m. The gas leak was secured at 2:22 a.m.

The two-story, eight-unit apartment building was evacuated, and no injuries were reported. According to the Incident Commander, there were occupants’ home at the time and all escaped unharmed. A wrecker was requested to remove the charred remains of the vehicle from the side of the building once the fire was out and the leak was brought under control. The blaze caused heavy damage to two end apartment units and moderate damage in two adjoining units toward the center of the building.

The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody at the scene by Gwinnett County Police. Please contact the police PIO for information related to the accident. 

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 4-Engines, 2-Ladder Trucks, 1-Squad, 1-Medic Unit, 1- Air & Light Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-District Commander, 1-Medic Supervisor, and 1-Fire Investigator.

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