Gwinnett fire that killed 5 still under investigation
Gwinnett firefighters are still investigating the cause of a horrific fire that claimed five lives over the weekend.
A home on Post Oak Drive in Duluth was destroyed in the blaze early Sunday morning. Five adults perished, and a dog and a cat also died. The blaze may have begun in a fire pit on the back deck, Gwinnett County Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said Monday.
“The exact cause is still undetermined and under investigation,” Rutledge said. “We are not able to rule out the fire pit on the back deck, but have not labeled that as the cause.”
The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office had not released the names of the victims late Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, neighbors and others who gathered at the scene were still in shock Monday.
Tony Segars, who lives across the street, was awakened by his dog at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday as the fire raged.
“It looked like a bonfire had gotten out of control,” Segars said. “As I came downstairs, it was fully engulfed.
“It’s a tragedy for the whole family,” Segars said. “I don’t know what else to say.”
The victims of the fire apparently rented the home. The owners stopped by Monday morning but declined to comment.
About the Author
David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
