70-Year-Old Dies, Wife Found Safe During House Fire

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A man in his mid-70s and a dog is dead after a house fire Sunday in the 80 block of Bleeker Street, SW Lawrenceville, according to the Gwinnett County Fire Department. Firefighters continued to search for the man’s wife who was believed to be unaccounted for at the time, but was found safe and was away visiting with her adult daughter. Of the two dogs located inside the home, one was discovered alive and one was deceased. There were no other injuries reported.

Firefighters responded at 11:19 a.m., after a caller to 911 reported hearing what sounded like an explosion and seeing flames and smoke pouring from the home. It was unknown at the time whether anyone was inside.

Crews arrived to find heavy fire showing throughout the right-side of a split-level, wood-frame house. Flames were already breaking through the roof over a garage that was converted to a living space. Firefighters quickly deployed fire attack hose lines and immediately entered the home to conduct a primary search and battle the blaze. Search crews found the body of an adult man deceased inside the residence.

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The exact cause of the fire and manner of death is currently undetermined and is under active investigation. The body was turned over to the Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and cause of death determination. The name of the victim has not been released. According to fire investigators, initial reports of what appeared to be an explosion may be attributed to medical oxygen tanks and ammunition that were located within the burned area of the home.

This tragic fire serves as a reminder about the importance of practicing fire safety, the Gwinnett Fire Department warns. Install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice fire drills regularly.

For more information on home fire and life safety, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction Division at 678-518-4845 or e-mailfireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.

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

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Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Fire Department