Two people were injured Tuesday morning in a house fire in Gwinnett County, authorities said.
Firefighters responded around 7 a.m. to the 3000 block of Sir Gregory Manor in Lawrenceville, where they encountered a residential structure on fire, Gwinnett fire spokeswoman Jessica Joiner said.
Five people lived at the residence and they all made it out by the time crews arrived. Two were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and another was assessed and released at the scene, Joiner said.
She added that two cats were not able to escape the fire and died.
WATCH: BREAKING - 2 residents taken to hospital after #Gwinnett house fire - https://t.co/UDYN2zjMUl pic.twitter.com/j2w2Xs5QX7
— John Spink (@johnjspink) February 7, 2023
A woman at the home told fire officials that she was drinking her morning coffee when she opened the carport door and was overcome by smoke and flames. She added that residents previously smoked in the carport, but was unsure if anyone had Tuesday.
At least 27 firefighters responded to the blaze. When they arrived, the carport was engulfed in flames, and the fire was migrating to the rest of the structure. Crews waited until the blaze was controllable before searching inside, Joiner said. They searched the home despite some “structural instability” in the floor system.
“Once the fire was controlled, extensive fire damage to the carport, kitchen and main floor was found,” Joiner said. “There was also significant water, smoke and fire damage to the basement of the home.”
The home was deemed a total loss after the fire, displacing all five residents, she added.
