LAWRENCEVILLE — A late-night house fire in Lawrenceville nearly turned tragic, but the swift actions of Gwinnett County firefighters ensured that all residents, including a family dog, made it out alive. The fire, which broke out around 2:35 a.m. on the 3500 block of River Drive SW, left a family of four displaced and sent one man to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The drama unfolded when the homeowner called 911, reporting that her house was engulfed in flames and that her family was scrambling to escape. After the initial evacuation, it was discovered that her brother was still trapped inside the burning building.
Firefighters deployed multiple hoses to battle the flames while search teams entered the building. They successfully rescued the trapped man and a dog, who were then turned over to medical crews for immediate care. After ensuring no one else was inside, the firefighters continued their battle against the blaze, which was complicated by a partial collapse of the first floor and structural concerns regarding the back deck.
The fire was finally brought under control by 3:30 a.m.
Emergency medical personnel treated and released two adults on the scene who had suffered minor injuries. The rescued man was transported to a local hospital, where he is expected to recover fully. The dog, who was given oxygen using a specialized pet mask, was returned to the family in stable condition. The American Red Cross has stepped in to assist the displaced family as they recover from the ordeal.
Fire investigators have since determined that the fire was accidental, caused by an electrical malfunction.
By The Numbers
- Time of the incident: 2:35 a.m.
- Firefighters’ arrival: 2:42 a.m.
- Time fire was under control: 3:30 a.m.
- Total number of adults displaced: 4
- Equipment used: 5 engines, 2 ladder trucks, 1 squad, 3 medical units, 4 command staff units, 1 air & light unit, 1 fire investigator, and 1 public information officer (PIO).
- Injuries: 1 adult transported to the hospital, 2 adults treated on scene.
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Thom Chandler
The Georgia Sun is a news and infotainment website devoted to all things Georgia.
