Firefighters Respond to Storm-Related Emergencies

Gwinnett firefighters were kept busy overnight (May 19) responding to numerous storm-related emergencies, including a person trapped in a vehicle in Duluth in rising water. 

The following is a brief synopsis of the most significant incidents compiled by the Gwinnett Fire Department’s public information officer. Fire officials began monitoring the weather and increasing call volume about 3 a.m. as storms moved across the area:

ENTRAPMENT ACCIDENT:

• Abbotts Bridge Road near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Duluth.  Crews found a vehicle in a ditch with rising waters and the patient still inside. Initial fire crews were able to free the patient and no injuries were reported. The roadway appeared to be washed over due to the rain. 

HOUSE FIRES:

There were numerous house fires and residential smoke reports during the storm. The most significant are as follows:

• 3000 block of Ashly Brooke Drive, Snellville. Crews found a small working fire in the attic on arrival.  Fire was quickly extinguished by first-due companies. The blaze caused moderate damage to an area of the attic and room.
• 1800 Block of Alcovy Road, Lawrenceville. Crews found an abandoned structure off the roadway that was fully involved on arrival. Firefighters operated in the defensive mode to control the fire.
• 2100 Condor Drive (possibly Egret Court), Lawrenceville. Crews found moderate flames showing from the attic and roof on the right side of a two-story house. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack and held the fire to the attic and roof area. The fire caused heavy damage. 
• 3500 Elinburg Cove Trail, Buford. Crews found a smoldering fire in the walls of the house on arrival.  No major damage was reported.

GAS LEAK:

• 4300 block of Smithtown Road, Suwanee. Crews found an active gas leak outside that was reportedly caused by lightning. The leak appeared to be coming off the main feed. Firefighters secured gas to the residence and requested the gas company to respond. Per the resident, lightning caused a hole in the ground and knocked out power to the home.   

TREE DOWN ON INTERSTATE:

• While responding to another call, an engine rolled up on a tree down in the roadway on Interstate-85 near Buford Drive. The tree was blocking the road and caused a significant threat to motorists on the interstate. A second engine was requested to assist with removing the tree.