Three people were able to escape a fire at a Gwinnett County duplex late Friday, but two dogs were found dead inside the home, fire officials said.
Crews responded the the home along Kay Drive in unincorporated Norcross just before midnight after a neighbor spotted flames coming from the house and called 911, Gwinnett Fire Lt. Justin Wilson said.
Gwinnett police also responded to calls about a domestic disturbance at the home, but later determined the commotion was caused by residents escaping the fire. According to fire officials, one person was able to get out the front door while two others had to crawl out of windows.
By the time firefighters arrived, there were flames shooting through the attic on the right side of the duplex and a power line had fallen into the front yard, Wilson said. Crews managed to get the fire under control before the blaze reached the adjacent unit.
Residents told firefighters there were three dogs inside the burning home. Two of them were found dead when crews entered the unit and the third was missing as of Saturday morning, Wilson said. One resident suffered minor injuries while escaping out a back window and was treated by paramedics at the scene.
Credit: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services
Credit: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services
Officials believe the fire started in the home’s living room, but the exact cause remains under investigation. The adjacent unit sustained smoke and water damage, displacing a total of six people from both homes, Wilson said. Volunteers from the American Red Cross responded to the duplex and are assisting the displaced residents.
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