Crime & Safety

Guest Causes Fire at Peachtree Corners Hotel

An early morning blaze Wednesday at Studio Plus extended stay hotel on Jimmy Carter Boulevard leads to arrest.

A small fire erupted early Wednesday morning in the kitchen of one of the apartments of the extended hotel located on the 7000 block of Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Peachtree Corners.

Firefighters had reports of a man trapped in the apartment and when they arrived found heavy smoke coming from a window on the second level of the three-story brick building. He was later identified as Julius Duke, 30.

Firefighters rescued Duke who was found unconscious on the bed, said Cpl. Eric Eberly, Gwinnett Fire Department's public information officer. But the rescued man refused to be transported to the hospital for evaluation.

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Eberly said firefighters were able to quickly control the small kitchen fire with a water can.

The hotel's 60-80 guests were evacuated due to the heavy smoke conditions.

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"The blaze caused minor damage to the unit were the fire originated," said Eberly. "No other damage was noted to any of the adjoining units."

Fire investigators said the exact cause of the fire would be listed as "preventable" and are filing charges of "reckless endangerment" against Duke.

Gwinnett Police had already arrested Duke at the scene on unrelated drug charges.

There were no other injuries reported. The Red Cross was not needed to assist and the hotel is back to normal operations.


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