Couple Displaced By Lawrenceville House Fire

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Two people were displaced in an early morning residential fire in the 3000 block of Chandon Lane NW in unincorporated Lawrenceville. Firefighters arrived on the scene at 3:32 a.m and found a two-story, wood-frame residential structure with heavy fire involvement on the right side of the second floor.

The fire quickly spread into and across the attic space with partial roof collapse. Crews quickly deployed attack hose lines to combat the blaze and initially made an interior fire attack. With the intense blaze, firefighters were forced to transition to a defensive fire attack. Multiple hose lines and one aerial apparatus were operated to bring the fire under control. The bulk of the fire was knocked down and crews were able to make entry to complete extinguishment and primary search. The fire caused extensive damage to the second floor and roof. The rest of the home has extensive smoke, heat and water damage. Crews worked in the bitter cold to control the fire as water from the fire hoses froze on the sidewalk and street in front of the house.

The Fire Investigator determined the fire originated in the chimney chase but the cause is undetermined and under investigation.

Homeowners said they were alerted by smoke alarms while sleeping in the bedroom. Red Cross was requested to assist two adults displaced by the fire.

Firefighters encourage people to practice home fire safety, especially during the winter season. 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. Check and maintain home heating appliances such as the furnace, fireplace and space heater.

Equipment at the scene included: three engines, one truck, one squad, one air/light unit, one medic unit, one rehab unit, two battalion chiefs and one arson investigator.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Fire