Lightning Strike, Fireplace Blamed in Buford House Fires

Gwinnett County firefighters were kept busy in the Buford area Saturday morning responding to two separate fires.

At 6:25 a.m. on March 23, firefighters were dispatched to a house fire at 5320 Sycamore Road in Buford.

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"Crews found heavy smoke showing from a one-story house on arrival," according to Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services public information officer Capt. Tommy Rutledge. "First-due companies made immediate entry and quickly extinguished the fire." 

In an email to media outlets, Rutledge indicated the fire appeared to have been accidental and originated from a fire burning in the fireplace/wood stove insert.

Two adults and several animals were displaced due to moderate damage to the exterior wall and smoke damage in the attic. The Red Cross is providing assistance.

A little over an hour later, fire crews responded to a report of a house fire at 3251 Camp Branch Road.

"Crews found smoke and flames showing from behind a one-story house on arrival," Rutledge wrote. "First-due companies had to contended with a downed power line as they worked to control the blaze."

Lightning is believed to have hit a nearby shed on the property before running inside the residence through the power line. There was minor damage to the contents inside an attached garage, but the main living quarters of the house were not damaged. The shed was totally destroyed.

There were no injuries reported in either incident.

You might also be interested in reading:

• Fire Causes Heavy Damage at Brookcliff Drive Home
• Buford Business Damaged by Fire
• Fireplace Blamed for Blaze That Heavily Damaged Buford Home
• Space Heater Believed to Have Caused Buford House Fire
• Buford House Fire Believed to Have Been Caused by Lightning Strike

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