Fire Guts Townhouses In Gwinnett

NORCROSS, GA — Twenty-four people were left without homes late Tuesday, when a fire destroyed much of a 10-unit townhouse building near Norcross.

Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services crews responded at 11:33 p.m. to a report of a fire at Robinwood Townhomes on Beaver Ruin Road. The 911 caller said his unit was on fire and that he was alerting other residents.

Crews arrived to find the two-story building ablaze, with heavy fire at the back of the building and burning through the roof. Firefighters entered the building, but were pushed back by heavy flames. Once the majority of flames were knocked down from outside, they were able to go back in, fire officials say.

Residents were already leaving the building when fire crews arrived and were completely evacuated with the help of Gwinnett County Police. No one was injured in the fire.

Investigators say a man who lives in the unit where the fire started had a fire going in the fireplace, but that the exact cause of the blaze is still being determined.

The American Red Cross was contacted to help the 24 people who lived in eight units in the building find somewhere to stay. Two of the units were vacant at the time of the fire.

Fire officials are urging residents to practice good home fire safety, especially during the busy holiday season. Everyone should have working fire alarms on every level of their home and in each bedroom, as well as a home escape plan. Heating appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces and space heaters should be checked regularly and well maintained.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services