Child's birthday present bursts into flames, sparks apartment fire

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Firefighters say parts of a hoverboard started a fire that displaced almost 40 people.

The fire started around 10 p.m. at the Field Peachtree Corners apartments in Gwinnett County.

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach spoke to firefighters, who said they needed a ladder to rescue people trapped in an apartment next door.

We're talking to residents who saw neighbors jumping out of their balconies, for Channel 2 Action News at 4 p.m.

The family whose apartment burned said they just bought the hoverboard the day before for their 12-year-old daughter's birthday. The toy was unplugged at the time.

"The occupants were not home at the time of the fire, they were alerted to the fire upon arriving in the parking lot," said fire official Justin Wilson.

At least 38 people are displaced from their homes from fire damage.

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