Gwinnett Firefighters Respond to Storm Calls

Gwinnett firefighters were kept busy Thursday (May 26) evening responding to numerous storm-related incidents. 

Capt. Tommy Rutledge reported there were a total of 123 calls dispatched between the hours of 5 to 8 p.m. including a house fire caused by a lightning strike, trees falling on homes, live wires down and vehicle accidents as a severe thunderstorm moved through the area.

Rutledge provided this synopsis of the most significant incidents:

House Fire:

• Fire crews responded to a house fire in the 5300 block of Candleberry Drive SW in Lilburn. The fire was sparked by a lightning strike to the attic witnessed by neighbors. Crews found flames showing from the roof of the two-story wood frame house on arrival. There were no injuries reported.

Trees Down on Houses:

• Firefighters responded to a report of a large tree down on a house in the 3100 block of Periwinkle Drive SW in Snellville. There were two people home at the time and both escaped unharmed. The tree went through the roof and caused extensive damage to the attic.
• Firefighters responded to a report of a large tree down on the roof of a house in the 4300 block of Gaelic Way SW in Snellville. Crews found a tree on the roof with damage to the attic area. No one was home at the time, and no injuries were reported.
• Firefighters responded to a report of two trees down on two houses in the 3800 block of Pleasant Hill Road NW in Duluth. There were no injuries reported.
• Firefighters responded to a report of a tree down on a house in the 1000 block of Beaver Ruin Road NW in Norcross. Crews found a tree on the roof on arrival. No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported. 

The Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services Department activated its Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and staffed the Operations War Room at Fire Headquarters. An additional engine was placed in service, and staff from fire inspections and arson were utilized to respond on live wires down, Rutledge reported.