As metro Atlanta continues to experience a cold spell, firefighters withstood the elements to rescue two dogs from a Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services employee’s home Sunday morning.
The firemedic, identified as Dylan Zerof, was not home at the time of the fire on Patrick Mill Place near Buford. Officials said his parents own the home.
“(The) last thing you expect is a fire at your own house,” Zerof told Channel 2 Action News. “If I had went home and probably went to sleep in my bed, I probably wouldn’t have made it out.”
Fire officials were called around 6 a.m. to the one-story residence after Zerof’s father was awakened by a loud boom. Startled, he came across a fire growing in the garage and quickly escaped, officials said, while letting firefighters know that his two dogs were still inside.
Less than 10 minutes later, fire crews arrived to find heavy flames coming from the residence. The intense heat was even melting a neighbor’s house siding, so officials said they deployed several handlines as protection.
At about 6:30 a.m., firefighters got the blaze under control and search teams confirmed that the occupants had made it out safely. Fire officials said an adult was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the scene before being released.
“Crews continued to search for two family canines while suppressing smoldering portions of the structure,” officials said. “Firefighters were able to locate both family pets and reunited them with their owners.”
Credit: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services
Credit: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services
The rescue operation was conducted by fire crews amid temperatures that were lower than 12 degrees, which created challenges and environmental concerns with their ground operations, according to Gwinnett fire.
“Due to the weather conditions and water on the street remaining from fire operations, firefighters requested a sand truck from the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation,” officials said.
The home was destroyed. The American Red Cross will assist the fire department in helping three displaced family members and two dogs in need of housing assistance.
“Department staff are extending multiple resources to the family while keeping county dignitaries and the County Administrator’s Office updated with any concerns or needs,” Gwinnett fire spokesperson Ryan McGiboney stated in a news release.
A GoFundMe page organized by Gwinnett firefighter Lt. Anthony Bennett to support the family with financial needs had raised more than $8,000 as of Tuesday morning.
The GoFundMe page is not an official initiative by Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, but is “supplemental assistance offered through Anthony Bennett” in addition to resources from the department, according to McGiboney.
Officials said the fire was accidental and that its cause remains under investigation.
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