Neighbor helps families escape condo fire in Gwinnett County

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Investigators are trying to determine what sparked the fire that left dozens of people looking for a new place to live.

Firefighters battled a huge fire early Wednesday morning that destroyed Robinwood Condos, a townhome community, along Beaver Ruin Road in Gwinnett County.

Neighbors told Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach how they rescued two families from the burning building.

Jasmine Turner, a neighbor, said she did not know what it was at first, but looked out her window to an orange glow and saw flames.

"I was in my building and I heard a loud boom," Turner said.

Turner then grabbed her two young kids and went into panic mode.

"Just 911, all help, help, everybody get out, get out, get out," Turner said.

Turner's quick thinking likely helped save lives.

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“I knocked on a neighbor’s door to get everybody out and got my kids and everything," Turner said. "By the time I came back out, it seemed like the flames had gotten bigger."

Even firefighters had to get out. It was just too dangerous.

"The fire was so intense, we had to back out of the structure and fight the fire from the outside," said Justin Wilson, of the Gwinnett County Fire Department.

Fire investigators are still looking into the exact cause, but those inside the unit where the fire started said they were burning a fire in the fireplace at the time.

A total of 30 people from the eight destroyed townhomes came back once the sun was up to see what they could save.

However, most lost everything going into the holidays.

They are now getting help from the American Red Cross while they look for new homes.

Cox Media Group