A man who was found dead Tuesday behind a house fire in the 4100 block of Bradford Walk Trail in Buford had a gunshot wound, officials said.
The man, who was not identified, was found behind the two-story house, Gwinnett fire spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said. No identity was released, but authorities think the man lived in the house.
The man also had injuries from the fire, Rutledge said. The exact cause of death will be determined by the Gwinnett medical examiner.
Also, fire investigators are considering the possibility that the blaze was intentionally set, and that the gunshot may have been self-inflicted, Rutledge said later Tuesday.
A weapon was found in debris near the back door, Rutledge said. The investigation is ongoing.
No one else was believed to be in the house at the time of the fire, which was called in by a nearby resident about 10:16 a.m., Rutledge said. A man, a woman and children lived in the house, and officials interviewed family members at the scene, Rutledge said.
Gwinnett police investigators also were on the scene. “That is the case with any fatal fire,” Rutledge said.
David Scott, a resident of a neighborhood behind the house, saw the blaze since it began.
“We were afraid it was going to spread and get into the woods and get to our house,” he said.
Heat from the blaze also damaged two other houses, Rutledge said.
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