Fire Damages Duluth Office Building

DULUTH, GA -- A fire Saturday evening caused extensive damage to an office building in Duluth.

Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services received a call at 7:40 p.m. saying there was a fire in the 3600 block of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

The caller at first thought an oil-change service center was on fire. But it turned out to be a one-story office building nearby.

Crews initially had to fight the blaze from outside because of a large fire in the building's attic. Also, there was a large woods fire behind the building and moving up a large hill, firefighters said.

Once the bulk of the fire was extinguished from a ladder truck, firefighters were able to enter the business and dowse the remaining hot spots.

The business was closed at the time of the fire and no one inside was injured. No additional structures were damaged due to the woods fire.

Due to Saturday's high temperatures, which hit 99 degrees in some parts of metro Atlanta, additional fire units were needed to allow firefighters to rest and rehydrate.

"Firefighters wear an additional 70-80 pounds of personal protective equipment and the hot summer conditions can take a toll while working at any type of fire," deputy Chief Charles Wells said.

The cause of Saturday's fire remains under investigation.

(Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services)