Gwinnett County fire officials say a smoldering cigarette is to blame for an overnight blaze that destroyed a Buford home and killed a family’s cat.
Firefighters responded to the home in the 900 block of West Shadburn Avenue about 4:30 a.m. Saturday after a neighbor noticed the front of the one-story house was engulfed in flames and called 911, Gwinnett fire spokesman Lt. Justin Wilson said.
“As crews were working to search for victims, family members arrived on scene and advised there were no occupants in the home,” Wilson said in a news release.
A cat was discovered inside the house and brought outside. Firefighters tried to revive the pet with oxygen, but their efforts were unsuccessful and it died.
It took 30 firefighters about two hours to extinguish the blaze, Wilson said. The 1930s-era home was being renovated at the time, which hampered firefighting efforts as flames spread through the crawl space and attic. Investigators later determined the fire was caused by a burning cigarette that had been placed in a pot on the front porch.
“The home is considered a total loss after sustaining heavy fire damage, including partial collapses of the floor and ceilings.” Wilson said.
In other news:
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
