Car, Then Home Catches Fire in Lockridge Forest Neighborhood

On Tuesday afternoon, a Peachtree Corners resident was having car problems and managed to make it to his Lockridge Forest home and pulled into his driveway just before his automobile caught fire.

Then his house caught on fire.

"When crews arrived shortly after 2:30 p.m. they found a vehicle engulfed in flames and fire extending into the attic on arrival," said Capt. Tommy Rutledge, spokesman for the Gwinnett fire department.

"The blaze destroyed the car and caused heavy damage to the garage area. The fire sent smoke throughout the house and damaged a portion of the attic," he said.

Rutledge said two police officers were able to successfully remove a wheelchair-bound female from the back porch prior to the fire department's arrival. The woman's adult daughter was also inside the house and was able to self evacuate before police and firefighters arrived."

Firefighters also rescued a dog from inside the home while battling the fire. There were no injuries reported.  

"The fire originated from the vehicle and appears to be mechanical in nature," reported Rutledge.  "The owners reported having mechanical trouble with the vehicle earlier today."

Equipment at scene included: 3-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Air & Light Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs