Man Smashes Window To Save Family Members From House Fire

LOGANVILLE, GA – A man smashed a window to save his sister and a child during a fire that consumed their house Sunday. The man was evaluated and released at the scene by paramedics. The woman and child were taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Names of the family were not released due to privacy laws.

Firefighters responded on Sunday, July 8, at 11:12 p.m., to an occupant report of a house fire in the 4000 block of Cannon Road, SW in Loganville. The caller to 911 advised that two people were still inside.

A police unit was the first to arrive at the scene and advised radio that the two-story, wood-frame house was fully involved. The officer was also able to confirm that all three occupants were outside the burning home.

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Firefighters found heavy fire showing from the center of the house and flames already through the roof. Crews were also met by the three injured occupants in the backyard. Firefighters quickly deployed attack hose lines to battle the blaze as paramedics treated two adults and one child. Crews initially knocked down the bulk of the flames from the exterior. The structure sustained heavy fire damage and is considered a total loss.

Per the fire investigator, the blaze appears accidental and may have been caused by a pot of food left heating on the stove.

The man told fire crews that his sister was cooking earlier in the evening. He went to bed without eating and was awakened sometime later by the smoke alarm sounding. He went downstairs and discovered the kitchen on fire and smoke filling the main level. The man exited the front door and went around back to get his sister and the child, also a relative, out of a slightly elevated first-floor bedroom/bathroom window.

“The situation could have been much worse. Thankfully the smoke alarm was working,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge. Fire officials suggest having a working smoke alarm on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms. Be sure to test the alarm monthly and change the battery twice a year. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice fire drills regularly.

The family’s dog survived the fire; however, two cats were found deceased inside the home by firefighters during overhaul.

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

Photos courtesy Gwinnett Fire Department