Christmas Day Apartment Fire In Gwinnett Displaces 10 Residences

Residents of 10 units in a Gwinnett County apartment building were displaced by a Christmas Day fire, authorities said.

No one was injured in the fire at the Columns at Killian Creek Apartments, located at 2300 Country Walk. The fire occurred after 3:30 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release sent by Gwinnett Fire.

The blaze caused heavy fire damage inside a corner apartment unit on the third floor and in the attic space directly above. Five other adjoining apartment units sustained smoke and water damage due to the fire and firefighting efforts.

“Residents in all 10 apartment units are being temporarily displaced due to the power being cut to the entire building,” Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said in the news release. “This is being done as a precaution due to the hazard associated with potential damage to electrical components in the attic. Firefighters did a great job of stopping the forward progress of the fire and kept the flames from burning through the roof of the building.”

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental. The exact cause is under investigation by the fire department.

Firefighters arrived on scene at 3:47 p.m. and found an active heavy fire. There was no one in the apartment where the fire started.

The American Red Cross is assisting one family find a temporary place to stay. Other residents reportedly were able to make arrangements.

(Photos: Apartment fire at the Columns at Killian Creek Apartments, Dec. 25. Credit: Gwinnett Fire PIO)