1 Dead, 1 Injured In Weekend Dacula Mobile Home Fire

DACULA, GA – One man died and another was seriously injured during a mobile home fire in Dacula over the weekend in the 2000 block of Fence Road, NE.

Firefighters responded Saturday, at 1:32 p.m., to a passerby report of a mobile home fire with a person trapped inside and flames coming from the home. Attempts to reach the trapped victim by the passerby, along with a neighbor and an occupant who escaped the home, were all unsuccessful.

Fire crews located the body of an adult man, 47, deceased inside the home during the search. A second adult male victim, 57, was found outside by firefighters and was transported, in an emergency status, to Grady Hospital in Atlanta. The injured man sustained serious smoke inhalation.

The exact cause of the fire is currently undetermined and is under active investigation.

Firefighters and police arrived to find the mobile home engulfed in fire. Crews attempted to make immediate entry, but were forced back due to intense heat and fire conditions and a partial collapse of the roof. Firefighters had to knock down the bulk of the flames from outside before re-entering the structure to conduct a primary search and complete extinguishment.

Reports of a third victim, 74, who was believed to be unaccounted for proved negative. The third occupant returned home as crews were operating at the scene. The name of the deceased victim has not been released and is pending positive identification by the Medical Examiner and notification of all the next of kin. Gwinnett Fire is unable to release the name of the injured man or medical condition due to Federal Patient Privacy Laws known as HIPAA.

The blaze caused heavy damage to the trailer and melted part of the exterior siding on a neighboring house to the right.

Gwinnett Fire wants to remind the public that this tragic fire serves as an important reminder to install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms. Develop a home escape plan and practice fire drills regularly. Homeowners should look for and eliminate hazards that could cause a fire to start. Protect your home and family by practicing fire safety.

Equipment on the scene included: four engines, one ladder truck, one squad, two medic units, one air and light unit, two battalion chiefs, one deputy chief and three fire investigators.

Photos courtesy of Gwinnett Fire Department