New Year's Fire Displaces 2 Norcross Families, 4 Children

NORCROSS, GA — One resident was transported to a hospital with a slight burn and smoke inhalation after a fire caused heavy damage to the duplex in the 1200 block of McPherson Lane, NW in Norcross, Jan. 1. Two others, with smoke inhalation, were evaluated and released at the scene by paramedics.

The fire caused heavy damage to the duplex on the right and significant smoke, heat and water damage to the exposure unit on the left. Members of two families, four adults and four children, were displaced due to the fire.

Firefighters responded at 12:07 a.m., after a 911 caller reported flames coming from inside the duplex.

Crews arrived to find heavy fire and smoke showing from the duplex unit on the right-side of a single-story dwelling on a slab. Flames were already shooting through the roof as firefighters deployed attack hose lines and positioned the ladder truck for aerial operations. Firefighters flowed water from multiple hand lines and a ladder pipe to control the blaze.

Per the fire investigator, the exact cause of the fire is currently undetermined and is under investigation. It is unknown at this point whether fireworks may have ignited the blaze. Occupants told the fire investigator that they noticed smoke and flames in the front windows as they were in the yard lighting fireworks to ring in the New Year. Firefighters found the remnants of spent fireworks scattered across the grass when they arrived.

The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance for both families.

Equipment at the scene included: four engines, two ladder trucks, one squad, two medic units, one air & light unit, one rehab unit, one battalion chief, one district commander and one fire investigator.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett Fire