Busy Thursday: Gwinnett Fire Crews Faced Numerous Incidents

Thursday was a busy day for Gwinnett County firefighters, with several incidents reported.

Here’s some of the activity from the day, according to Gwinnet Fire spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge:

HOUSE FIRE

An early morning fire caused heavy damage at a Gwinnett County home.

Gwinnett Fire spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said four people were in the home — man and wife, their daughter and a friend — and were already outside when firefighters arrived around 2:30 a.m. on the 5600 block of Silk Oak Way near Sugar Hill.

The family heard a loud popping sound, then discovered the fire and called 911.

The interior of the home and its contents were heavily damaged.

The fire appears to be accidental, sparked by a clothing iron left on overnight.

 
HOTEL FIRE

A small fire was reported in the laundry room of a Duluth hotel Thursday morning, according to Gwinnett Fire officials.

Firefighters responded to the Suburban Extended Stay hotel at 2530 Stephens Drive near Duluth around 6 a.m. Thursday, June 19. An employee called 911 after seeing smoke coming from the laundry area at the back of the building.

The hotel was in the process of being evacuated when firefighters arrived. No injuries were reported. The fire was contained by the sprinkler system.

The blaze is believed to be accidental.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT/HAZMAT INCIDENT

Approximately 100 gallons of fuel were spilled during a Thursday morning accident near Lawrenceville.

Gwinnett Fire said firefighters responded just before 8 a.m. at Riverside Parkway and Ga. Highway 316 to the report of an accident involving a tractor trailer and passenger vehicle. No injuries were reported, but one of the saddle tanks on the truck was ruptured, prompting a call to a hazardous material team to contain the spill.
Gwinnett Fire spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said about 50 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into a storm drain.

“Crews contained the majority of the fuel and used absorbent pads to capture residual product,” Rutledge said in a news release. “A clean-up company was contacted by the trucking company to handle the spill. …

“There was no immediate threat to health or the environment.”

 
APARTMENT FIRE

Fire investigators believe a Thursday morning fire at a Lawrenceville-area apartment complex was intentionally set.

Firefighters responded just before 9 a.m. after an alarm was activated at the Century at Sugarloaf Apartments on Old Norcross Road.

Smoke was seen coming out of Building #11, apparently from a small fire in a storage unit below an occupied apartment.

The first was quickly extinguished, although many items in the storage were extensively damaged.

No injuries were reported.

   
VEHICLE ACCIDENT/ENTRAPMENT

Three people were sent to the hospital — two of them with critical injuries — after a Thursday afternoon accident near Dacula.

Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said the three-car accident happened at 1:09 p.m. at Ga. 316 and Harbins Road.

Firefighters found four patients, including two elderly patients who needed to be removed from one of the vehicles. Three people were taken to Gwinnett Medical Center. One was released at the scene.

The scene was turned over to Gwinnett Police accident investigators.

CAR ON FIRE
Firefighters responded at 5:30 p.m. Thursday to an occupant report of a car on fire inside an attached garage in the 2216 block of Colonial Oak Way, SW in Stone Mountain.

Crews found heavy fire involvement in the garage of a single family dwelling on arrival. The blaze completely destroyed the vehicle (mini van) and scorched contents inside the garage. The fire slightly extended to the main-living space and sent extensive smoke throughout the house.

Firefighters made a good stop on the spread of the fire and also rescued a cat from the burning home. The cat is doing fine. The exact cause of the fire is currently undetermined and is under investigation by the fire department. The family was home at the time and escaped unharmed.

The Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance for 2-adults and 3-children displaced by the damage.