Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services responded to a call at 8:02 p.m. Monday, May 9, near the intersection of Buford Highway and Suwanee Dam Road NW in Suwanee. The caller stated that a log pile was on fire.
Firefighters found an 80-foot long by 20-foot wide log pile consumed with 30-foot flames shooting into the air.
“Firefighters assumed a defensive mode of attack, deploying a deck gun, Blitz fire monitor, and multiple attack lines to suppress the flames,” said Ryan McGiboney, an assistant public information officer with Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.
Due to the location of the nearest hydrant, firefighters had to have the Suwanee Police Department shut down the major roadway of Buford Highway between Cherokee Trail NW and Suwanee Dam Road NW. Firefighters were then able to extend 1,000 feet of five-inch hose across Buford Highway and access the hydrant to begin combating the blaze.
Buford Highway was reopened at 10:15 p.m., but fire crews remained on the scene for several more hours putting out hot spots deep within the wood pile.
No injuries were reported during the fire nor were any structures damaged.
The actual cause of the fire was undetermined, but firefighters believe the fire to be accidental in nature.
