Gwinnett Home a Total Loss After Friday Afternoon Fire

A man and wife were outside working in the backyard when a large Friday afternoon fire left their Gwinnett County home a total loss.

No injuries were reported.

The fire happened around 3:30 p.m. Friday on Silverwood Court, located in an unincorporated area north of Lawrenceville and Dacula.

Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said firefighters arrived on scene at 3:41 p.m. and had the fire under control at 4:26 p.m.

From Gwinnett Fire:

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke showing from a large one-story brick house over a full basement. Crews deployed attack hose lines and made immediate entry to combat the blaze. Firefighters encountered flames burning in the basement and throughout the house. The floor system was spongy and prevented crews from advancing hose lines deep inside the structure. They were forced to retreat moments later due to a partial floor collapse and intense fire conditions inside. Firefighters had to knock down the bulk of the fire from the outside, before going back in to complete extinguishment. The fire caused heavy damage (total loss) throughout the home.

The fire appears to be accidental and may have started in the basement ceiling, which also serves as the floor system for the main level. The exact cause was not immediately known.

Rutledge said an on-duty Gwinnett Sheriff’s deputy was first to arrive. He confirmed the fire via radio and said the man and wife were outside and safe.

(Photos: Gwinnett Fire PIO)