Crime & Safety

Couple Escapes Damaging 'Total Loss' Fire in Buford on Christmas Day

Gwinnett Fire spokesman: "We are fortunate that the occupants were able to escape without serious injury."

A popping sound alerted a Buford couple, allowing them to escape unharmed from a Christmas Day fire in the 2200 block of Walkers Glen Lane, according to Gwinnett Fire.

The fire occurred after 9 p.m. Wednesday. The house is considered a total loss, according to fire officials.

The husband heard a popping sound coming from the garage, and was met by black smoke and intense heat. His wife was sleeping upstairs at the time. He woke her up and both escaped.

Find out what's happening in Bufordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The man suffered minor burns.

Here's the complete report from Gwinnett Fire:

Find out what's happening in Bufordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

GWINNETT FIRE/MEDIA E-NEWS RELEASE: HOUSE FIRE-2200 BLOCK OF WALKERS GLEN LANE, NE IN BUFORD

INCIDENT DATE: 12/25/13

TIME DISPATCHED: 9:23 P.M.

TIME ARRIVED: 9:31 P.M.

Firefighters responded to an occupant report of a house fire at the above location.

Crews found a large two-story wood and brick home fully involved on arrival.  Firefighters had to battle the blaze from the outside due to intense heat and flames.  Firefighters immediately deployed attack hose lines to control the fire and protect neighboring houses from hot embers and radiant heat.  Fire crews flowed water from an aerial ladder device and multiple attack lines to extinguish the blaze.  The home is a total loss due to the fire.  Firefighters worked cautiously due to the weakened structural supports and potential for further collapse.  The fire is believed to have started in the garage, however, the exact cause is still undetermined and is under investigation.

Two adult occupants (husband and wife) were home at the time of the fire and escaped.  The woman was asleep upstairs and the man was downstairs in the den.  He reportedly heard a loud popping sound and went to check the garage.  He opened the garage door from the kitchen and was immediately met with heavy black smoke and intense heat.  The man alerted his wife and they both got out.  The occupants told firefighters that the flames were rolling out the garage doors on the side of the house when they exited the front door.  They described the fire as having moved fast.  The man was treated for a minor burn injury and was released by paramedics at the scene.

A car parked inside the garage was destroyed by the fire.  A pickup truck in the driveway was also damaged by the heat and flames.

"We are fortunate that the occupants were able to escape without serious injury, especially due to the magnitude of the fire," said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge.

The family (2-adults and 3-Children) will be displaced due to the fire damage.  They were being assisted by relatives and neighbors.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED:

4-Engines

1-Ladder Truck

1-Squad

1-Medic Unit

11-Rehab Unit

1-Air & Light Unit

2-Battalion Chiefs

1-Fire Investigator

1-Fire PIO


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.