Man and Baby Escape Buford House Fire

BUFORD, GA — A man and baby were able to escape a fire that destroyed their home in Buford on Thursday.

Investigators believe a cigarette may have started the blaze, which also damaged two neighboring homes and a vehicle.

Firefighters were called to the 1000 block of Shelby Lane, NE, by a neighbor who called 911 after seeing flames and smoke coming from the garage.

The man and baby were awakened from a nap by a loud popping sound and were able to escape unharmed. There were no injuries reported in the fire.

Fire crews found "an intense wind-driven fire" threatening two neighboring houses, a news release said. They attacked all three houses with water and were able to limit the damage on the two neighboring houses to exterior siding.

The blaze caused a total loss of the original house, however, and damaged a vehicle parked in the driveway.

The fire appears to have started in a corner of the garage and investigators "are unable to rule out cigarette-smoking materials" as the cause, the news release said.

The American Red Cross was called to assist four adults and one infant displaced by the fire. Occupants in the neighboring homes were not displaced.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services