Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services responded to a call about a reported garage fire at a home in the 1700 block of Ridgemill Terrace in Dacula on Tuesday morning, May 17.
Fire crews responded to the call at 9:54 a.m. and upon arrival found the garage fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters worked quickly, deploying three hose lines to attempt to keep the flames contained to the garage. Unfortunately, the flames had managed to do heavy damage to the attic and the upstairs area of the home.
Firefighters were advised that no one was inside the structure and after a search was conducted, this was determined to be the case.
The homeowner told Gwinnett County Fire Services that his smoke alarms alerted him to the fire and he was able to exit the home without sustaining any injuries.
One firefighter was transported to a local hospital to be treated for a “heat-related illness” and was later released from the hospital.
Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire was due to “combustible material left too close to a heat source in the garage,” according to a statement by Gwinnett County Fire Services. The fire was ruled accidental.
The American Red Cross is assisting the two adults displaced by the blaze.
The fire department urges residents to make sure their smoke alarms are in good working order and that they have an adequate number of alarms as this fire shows smoke alarms save lives. For more information on home fire safety, email fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.
