Duplex Fire Near Lilburn Displaces Family of 6

An overnight fire at a Lilburn-area duplex displaced a family of six, but no injuries were reported.

Gwinnett firefighters arrived at a two-story duplex on Waverly Court at 1:18 a.m. Sunday, May 25, and found smoke and flames coming from the back deck. Crews worked to keep the fire from spreading in the building and extinguished the blaze just before 2 a.m.

Gwinnett Fire spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said the fire caused heavy damage to the deck and exterior wall and moderate damage elsewhere. It started on the back deck. The cause is being investigated.

“A babysitter and several children were awake at the time and discovered the fire after smelling smoke,” Rutledge said in a press release. “The smoke alarms inside began sounding as the occupants evacuated.  They escaped unharmed and were outside safe when the fire department arrived.”