Overnight fire in Loganville area injures two adults and a child

Three people were injured in an overnight fire in the 4000 block of Cannon Road, SW in the unincorporated Loganville area of Gwinnett County, according to Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. Two cats did not survive, but the family dog also made it out alive. GCFES reported that firefighters responded to the call from 911 advising that two people were still inside at 11:12 p.m. on Sunday, July 8, 2018. A police unit arrived first and was able to confirm that all three occupants of the home were outside, but injured.

When firefighters arrived they found heavy fire showing from the center of the house and flames already through the roof. Firefighters quickly deployed attack hose lines to battle the blaze and paramedics treated the two adults and one child who were outside. WCFER report that the structure sustained heavy fire damage and is considered a total loss. The fire investigator believes it was accidental, possibly caused by a pot of food left heating on the stove.

The man told fire crews that his sister was cooking earlier in the evening and he went to bed without eating. He was awakened sometime later by the smoke alarm and went downstairs to find the kitchen on fire and smoke filling the main level of the house. He went out the front door and went around the back and was able to get his sister and the child, who also was a relative, out of a slightly elevated first-floor bedroom/bathroom window. He was able to gain access by throwing a brick through the window. He was evaluated and released at the scene by paramedics, but the woman and child were transported to the hospital for further evaluation. GCFES report that no further information is available due to Federal Patient Privacy Laws known as HIPAA.

“The situation could have been much worse. Thankfully the smoke alarm was working,” Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge said in a press release.

Fire officials suggest having a working smoke alarm on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms. Be sure to test the alarm monthly and change the battery twice a year. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice fire drills regularly.