Lawrenceville House Fire Displaces Family

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Two adults and three children are displaced and a firefighter sustained minor injuries in an overnight house fire in the 400 Block of Thornbush Drive SW in Lawrenceville. The fire investigator said the fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle in the driveway and spread to the home.

Firefighters responded at 2:12 a.m. after a 911 call that reported a vehicle on fire in front of the garage and less than two feet from the residence, according to a Gwinnett Fire news release. Crews arrived on scene and found a vehicle fire that had extended into the attached garage of the residence. Fire quickly spread to the attic and broke through the roof over the garage. Firefighters deployed attack hose lines and commenced an aggressive interior attack. The blaze was brought under control with heavy fire damage to the garage and attic space. The second floor of the home has moderate smoke and heat damage.

A woman in the residence heard a loud noise and investigated to find the car on fire in front of the garage, according to the release. She went back inside and evacuated her three children. Smoke alarms inside the home did not activate due to the location of the fire. None of the family were injured.

The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance.

Firefighters encourage all citizens to practice home fire safety, especially during the busy holiday season. They recommend installing working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each bedroom. Residents should also 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: four engines, one truck, one squad, one air/light unit, one medic unit, two battalion chiefs, and one arson investigator.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett Fire