‘Out of service' hydrant delays firefighters in Buford

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

After arriving at the scene of an apartment building fire in Buford, Gwinnett County firefighters were forced to find another water source when the closest fire hydrant was marked "out of order" Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters could see the thick smoke before they arrived at the scene, Gwinnett fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said. But upon arrival, they were forced to stretch their supply hose further down the street to another hydrant, Rutledge said Tuesday night. The "out of order" notice had been placed on the hydrant by the City of Buford, he said.

"Crews were already met with a pretty intense fire situation in the attic and two top floor apartments upon their arrival," Rutledge said.

Sixty firefighters battled the blaze in a two-story building at the Oak Forest Apartments on South Hill Street, Rutledge said. No one was injured, but about 20 residents were displaced, he said.

The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen of an upstairs apartment before spreading to the attic, Rutledge said. The exact cause is still under investigation.

The apartment building, more than 30 years old, did not have a sprinkler system or firewalls, Rutledge said.