Roof collapses, firefighter hurt during blaze at Gwinnett business
The cause of the fire at a physical therapy business remains under investigation, officials say.
Official said a firefighter was injured while battling a blaze Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at an office building in Gwinnett County. (Courtesy of Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services)
A Gwinnett County firefighter was injured and nineothers were forced to evacuate after the roof of an office building collapsed during a fire Saturday night.
Fire crews responded at about 7:15 p.m. to a business fire in the 4500 block of Nelson Brogdon Boulevard after 911 callers reported that flames were coming from BenchMark Physical Therapy, spokesperson Jessica Joiner said in a statement. At the scene, firefighters saw the roof was ablaze and deployed two hose lines to fight the fire as nine firefighters searched inside the building.
A Gwinnett County firefighter was injured and nineothers were forced to evacuate after the roof of an office building collapsed during a fire Saturday night.
Fire crews responded at about 7:15 p.m. to a business fire in the 4500 block of Nelson Brogdon Boulevard after 911 callers reported that flames were coming from BenchMark Physical Therapy, spokesperson Jessica Joiner said in a statement. At the scene, firefighters saw the roof was ablaze and deployed two hose lines to fight the fire as nine firefighters searched inside the building.
But as firefighters looked for possible victims, officials said the roof of the two-story building collapsed. Joiner said “at that moment, all firefighting crews exited the building.”
Firefighters battle an evening fire Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at BenchMark Physical Therapy on Nelson Brogdon Boulevard in Gwinnett County. (Courtesy of Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services)
A firefighter was taken to a hospital with minor injuries after being hurt during “fire ground operations,” officials said. They were not one of the nine firefighters who were inside during the collapse, Joiner said. The firefighter was released from the hospital late Saturday night.
A firefighter was taken to a hospital with minor injuries after being hurt during “fire ground operations,” officials said. They were not one of the nine firefighters who were inside during the collapse, Joiner said. The firefighter was released from the hospital late Saturday night.
Four engines and two ladder trucks were used during the operation, as well as a drone.
Crews gained control of the fire by 7:42 p.m. and once again entered the business to fully extinguish it. But it was ultimately consumed by the blaze. Joiner said it also caused damage to the nearby Lanier Recovery Center, a drug rehab center located in the same building.
Joiner said a person with keys to BenchMark Physical Therapytold fire crews that they hadn’t there since Friday.
Crews gained control of the fire by 7:42 p.m. and once again entered the business to fully extinguish it. But it was ultimately consumed by the blaze. Joiner said it also caused damage to the nearby Lanier Recovery Center, a drug rehab center located in the same building.
Joiner said a person with keys to BenchMark Physical Therapytold fire crews that they hadn’t there since Friday.
A fire erupted at an office building on Nelson Brogdon Boulevard in Gwinnett County on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Courtesy of Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services)
“Fire investigators stated that the cause of this fire was undetermined and originated in the attic space of the business,” Joiner said in a statement. An investigation into the fire is ongoing.
BenchMark Physical Therapy provides both physical and occupational therapy care, according to its website.
BenchMark Physical Therapy provides both physical and occupational therapy care, according to its website.
