Gwinnett firefighters are still investigating the cause of a horrific fire that claimed five lives over the weekend.
A home on Post Oak Drive in Duluth was destroyed in the blaze early Sunday morning. Five adults perished, and a dog and a cat also died. The blaze may have begun in a fire pit on the back deck, but the cause is still undetermined, Gwinnett County Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said Monday.
Meanwhile, neighbors and others who gathered at the scene were still in shock Monday.
Tony Segars, who lives across the street, was awakened by his dog at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday as the fire raged.
“It looked like a bonfire had gotten out of control,” Segars said Monday. “As I came downstairs, it was fully engulfed.
“It’s a tragedy for the whole family,” Segars said. “I don’t know what else to say.”
Credit: undefined
Credit: undefined
Mike Gubitoso, who lived in the house for more than 7 years until 2011, stopped by to see what had become of his former home. The basketball goal he installed for his sons was one of the few things left untouched by the blaze.
“It was always in great shape. We never had an issue with anything in this house, structurally, electrically, anything,” Gubitoso said. “It was a real neat house to grow up in. The people were great.
“To look at it now,” he said, shaking his head.
The victims of the fire apparently rented the home. The owners stopped by Monday morning but declined to comment.
About the Author
