AUBURN, Ga. — Gwinnett County Firefighters said one person died in a late Friday night fire at an Auburn home.
The fire reportedly broke out sometime after 11 p.m. at the home on Hayes Road near the community of Auburn. Firefighters said they got a 9-1-1 call from a neighbor who reported hearing a loud “pop” and then walked outside to see the home blanketed in heavy smoke.
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Fire crews arrived shortly after the call and after evaluating the scene, they managed to get inside the house to search for any possible victims. They found one person inside the garage. They believe that person died during the fire.
Firefighters said they were able to get the fire out quickly, but the home was heavily damaged and the second floor of the house collapsed. Fire investigators said they believe the fire started in a downstairs bedroom and spread quickly through the interior of the house. They have not been able to determine a cause, but believe the fire was accidental.
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Gwinnett County firefighters said incidents like this fire are a reminder to install and properly maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home. They said if the alarm goes off, get out of the house quickly and don’t re-enter. Firefighters encourage homeowners to have an escape plan and practice it so everyone inside your home is prepared and will know what to do if a fire breaks out.
They said anyone who wants additional information on fire safety to contact the departments Risk Reduction Division at 678-518-4845 or e-mail them at fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.
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