Afternoon Lightning Sparks Several Gwinnett Fires

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Lightning from severe thunderstorms kept Gwinnett County firefighters busy Thursday afternoon, with several strikes turning into fully involved home fires.

Crews responded to three fires in the Lawrenceville area that were a direct result of the storms, said Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge.

At 4:05 p.m., firefighters responded to an occupant report of a house fire due to lightning in the 1600 block of Highland Oaks Way in unincorporated Lawrenceville. They arrived to find smoke and flames shooting from the roof of a two-story wood frame house.

The occupants, a woman and children were outside and safe when firefighters arrived. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters battled the blaze while storms were still raging in the area and were able to contain it after it caused moderate damage to the roof area where lightning struck.

At 4:23 p.m., crews responded to a neighbor report of a house fire due to lightning in the 500 block of Brandy Creek Circle, also in unincorporated Lawrenceville.

They found flames showing from the attic and roof of a one-story brick and wood home.

As the storm continued, they were able to enter the home and control the fire. It caused heavy damage to the roof and extensive damage inside part of the living space, fire officials said.

Then, at 4:45 p.m, there was another call, this one from both a neighbor and a passerby, of a lightning strike and house fire in the 1400 block of Azalea Drive NE in unincorporated Lawrenceville.

The neighbor reportedly banged on the home's door, but got no response.

Firefighters found heavy flames showing from the second floor and through the roof of a large, two-story brick house.

The fire burned away much of the roof and caused heavy damage to the structure and contents of the home, Rutledge said.

No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported.

(Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services)