Fire in Wall at Apartment Quickly Extinguished

Gwinnett firefighters responded to an apartment fire Wednesday on Fairway Oaks Drive near Lawrenceville.

Here’s the report from Gwinnett Fire:

Gwinnett County firefighters responded on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at 7:54a.m., to an occupant report of an apartment fire in the 3376 block of Fairway Oaks Drive, NW in Lawrenceville. The caller reported smoke inside the apartment and an electrical odor.

Crews found a smoldering fire in the wall and floor system that affected two apartment units on the corner of the building. Firefighters quickly contained the fire and kept the flames from spreading into the main-living space in both units. The power company was requested to disconnect power to the entire building due to the electrical hazard. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist displaced occupants of the building. There are a total of eight occupied apartment units within the building, but it is unknown exactly how many residents will actually be displaced. Per fire investigators, the cause of the fire appears accidental and in believed to be electrical in nature. The fire originated in the area of the electrical meter base within the wall of a ground floor apartment and extended via the wall and floor system to the unit directly above. There were no injuries reported.

Fire safety is an important part of being an apartment resident. Follow basic fire prevention practices that include installing smoke alarms, developing a fire escape plan, and reporting any unsafe conditions to apartment management. For additional information on apartment fire safety, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction Division at 678.518.4845 or e-mail fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.

Equipment at the scene included: 4-Engines, 2-Ladder Trucks, 1-Squad, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Air & Light Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-Deputy Chief, 2-Fire Investigators, 1-Medic Supervisor and 1-PIO.

Photo: Gwinnett Fire PIO