Two Fires, 'Grenade' Handled By Gwinnett Firefighters Monday

SNELLVILLE, GA — It was a busy Labor Day for Gwinnett County firefighters, who responded to two house fires and what appeared to be a live grenade discovered at a local Goodwill on Monday.

The grenade-like device was found by an employee at the Goodwill of North Georgia at Hamilton Mill in Buford at about 4:33 p.m. The device was found in a bin of donated items in the store's receiving area.

About 30 people, including staff and customers, were evacuated as emergency crews established a perimeter around the building. Police took possession of the device and, ultimately, determined that it was a non-hazardous training prop.

No injuries were reported and the store returned to normal operations at about 5 p.m.

Shortly after midnight Monday, firefighters had been called to a house fire in the 4300 block of Acuba Court in Lilburn. Crews arrived to find a fire burning in the kitchen of a two-story house there. They attacked the fire with hoses and were able to immediately enter the home and begin a search.

Ultimately, the blaze was contained to the kitchen, where it caused heavy damage to the room and its contents, fire officials said. There was moderate smoke damage to the rest of the house.

Investigators say an occupant was home at the time and had been cooking. The blaze was sparked by hot oil that ignited in a pan on the stove, according to Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services. The occupant discovered the fire and escaped unharmed.

The American Red Cross was contacted to help the occupant, who was displaced by the fire.

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At 2:51 p.m., firefighters responded to another house fire, this one in the 1800 block of Meadowchase Court in Snellville. Crews arrived to find smoke and flames showing from the front of the two-story house.

They were already extending into the second-story and attic when firefighters arrived. The home's occupant, who called 911, was already outside and safe when fire crews arrived. Fire officials say the blaze caused extensive damage to the home, including part of the attic.

Investigators say the fire appears to have been accidental and was possibly sparked by an improperly discarded cigarette on the front porch. The occupants told firefighters he had been smoking outside earlier in the afternoon.

The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the family, which includes four adults and three children, that lived in the home.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services