LAWRENCEVILLE — Firefighters responded at 2:03 a.m. to a neighbor’s report of a house fire at the 200 block of Twin Brook Way NW in unincorporated Lawrenceville. The 9-1-1 caller reportedly saw the house behind theirs on fire.
Crews arrived to find two single-story, single-family residences on slabs fully engulfed in flames. Heat from the blazes had started to extend to neighboring houses to the left and right of the engulfed structures.
The Incident Commander instructed the first-in truck to put its jacks down and raise the aerial to begin defensive operations. Two 1 ¾-inch lines were deployed to start protecting the exposures as the siding was beginning to melt. Turrets on the aerial flowed hundreds of gallons of water to bring the fires under control. Firefighters were then able to advance handlines into the structural remains and extinguish hotspots.
As fireground operations worked to put out the fires, paramedics were swiftly preparing a patient for transport one street over. Per the Battalion Chief assisting with those efforts, one of the homes that was on fire was occupied by an older gentleman and two of his grandchildren.
The gentleman was able to wake the children up and escape to the backyard. Neighbors that lived behind the home were able to kick the fence down and pull the family to safety. During their escape, the older gentleman did sustain injuries consistent with this type of incident. Paramedics transported him rapidly to an area hospital. The children’s parents arrived during this time and took them into their care.
All occupants of the affected homes were accounted for during the primary and secondary searches. Fire Investigators responded to the scene and are actively trying to determine the point of origin and cause.
This fire serves as a good reminder for everyone to practice home fire safety. Develop a home escape plan and practice fire drills regularly, even at night. Be sure to install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each bedroom. For additional information on home fire safety, please contact the Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services’ Community Risk Reduction Division at 678-518-4845or email fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.
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