Woman Killed In Gwinnett House Fire

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A 75-year-old Lawrenceville woman was killed Wednesday when her home was destroyed by a fire.

Gwinnett County firefighters were called to a house in the 1500 block of Brandon Square in Lawrenceville at 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday when a neighbor saw smoke and fire coming from the building.

Crews arrived to find the single-story house fully on fire, with "heavy smoke and flames pouring from the house," said Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge.

Firefighters began fighting the fire and entered the home, having been told there was probably someone inside. But they were forced to back out briefly because intense fire and the fact that part of the roof had collapsed.

The fire was so hot that it melted vinyl siding on a neighboring house.

After knocking back the flames, crews entered the home again. They found the body of woman who had died inside the home.

No one else was found and no other injuries were reported. The fire department had not identified the victim as of Thursday morning, but Rutledge said she was a 75 year old who lived in the home with her husband.

"This fire is a tragic situation and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family," Rutledge said.

Investigators were working Thursday to determine the exact cause of the fire. It started in a living room on the front side of the house and spread, Rutledge said. He said there were a number of possible ignition sources, but that the fire does not appear to be suspicious.

The victim's body was turned over to the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's office for identification and cause of death determination.

Rutledge said family members arrived at the scene Wednesday afternoon and were talking with investigators.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Service