Storm Damage: Lightning Sparks Fires, Limb Knocks Down Wires

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Strong storms that roared through Gwinnett Sunday night caused lightning damage and down wires, according to Gwinnett Fire, which sent the following activity report:

HOUSE FIRE

Firefighters responded at 9:18p.m. to a neighbor report of a house fire next door in the 2200 block of Duck Hollow Trace, NW in Lawrenceville. The caller advised that occupants were home at the time and were evacuating. Fire crews found an active fire in an exterior wall on the left-side of the house and slight extension into the attic above. The fire was quickly extinguished by first-arriving fire units. Crews had to pull sheetrock in three different rooms in order to put the fire completely out and check for extension and hotspots. There were no injuries reported. The occupants (2-adults and 2-children) will be displaced by the damage, but did not request Red Cross assistance. The scene was under control by 9:35p.m.

HOUSE FIRE

Firefighters responded to an occupant report of a house fire in the 209 block of Vinca Circle, NE in Buford. Crews found a small smoldering fire in the attic on arrival. The fire was extinguished quickly by first-arriving fire units. The blaze caused damage to a 2-foot area within the attic insulation and wooden rafters. There were no injuries reported. The occupants were home at the time and discovered flames in the attic after a lightning strike. They were not being displaced from the residence at the time of this release. The scene was under control by 9:45p.m.

WIRES DOWN

Firefighters responded at 9:55p.m. to a report from a passerby of wires down and arcing in the 1300 block of Ridge Road, NE in Lawrenceville. Crews found live wires down arcing and requested Jackson EMC to respond. The wires were pulled down by fallen tree limbs. There were no injuries and no damage reported.