Seven people lost their home and nine others were displaced after blistering flames and a thick cloud of black smoke rose above a two-story Lawrenceville home Sunday afternoon.
A team of 35 Gwinnett County firefighters was able to extinguish all the hot spots within about an hour, but the Camden Park Drive home was considered a total loss, authorities said. The five adults and two children who were inside when the fire began were able to get out safely around 12:50 p.m., but they must now look for a new home.
Credit: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services
Credit: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services
The fire was first noticed by a neighbor who quickly alerted the residents and had them evacuate before calling 911, authorities said. When firefighters arrived, the home had iridescent flames spewing from the roof and the neighboring homes were being threatened by the heat and flames.
Crews began to immediately knock down any visible flames that were advancing onto the neighboring homes until they could safely evacuate those inside, authorities said. Nine people got out of the two homes without injury.
The majority of the fire was extinguished within 30 minutes, but it wasn’t until another half hour that all hot spots were put out. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but authorities confirmed it broke out on the backside of the home.
Credit: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services
Credit: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services
The interior of the home was completely compromised. With a partially collapsed floor, attic and exterior walls, the home was deemed a total loss by authorities. The two neighboring homes sustained moderate damage as the vinyl siding on the exposed sides was melted.
The American Red Cross is providing temporary assistance to those displaced.
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