July 4 Holiday Fires Keep Gwinnett Firefighters Busy

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — Firefighters responded to several grass, vehicle and dumpster fires and one house fire in different parts of the County during the July 4th holiday, July 3-5.

Fireworks are the suspected cause of a house fire Thursday, July 5, at 2:31 a.m., in the 2000 block of Skylar Leigh Drive, NE in Buford. A man and woman were home at the time and escaped unharmed. They discovered the attic on fire after smelling smoke on the second floor.

Crews arrived to find a working fire in the attic and flames already through the roof on the back of the house. The blaze caused heavy damage to the attic and roof and extensive smoke, heat and water damage to the living space. There were remnants of spent fireworks found near the back and side of the house: however, it is unclear where they were discharged from. The exact cause of the fire is undetermined.

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The Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance for the displaced occupants.

It is unknown whether fireworks played a factor in all of the grass, vehicle and dumpster fires. There was no major damage reported in the fires or serious injuries as a result of fireworks, outdoor grilling or swimming pools.

Equipment at the scene included: three engines, one ladder truck, one squad, one medic unit, one air & light unit, two battalion chiefs and two fire investigators.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Fire Department