Gwinnett Firefighters Spend 10 Hours at House Fire

LAWRENCEVILLE -- Gwinnett firefighters continued to operate at the scene of a house fire in the 2100 block of Versailles Place NE in Lawrenceville Sunday morning. The fire was finally put out and fire trucks left the scene early Sunday afternoon.

The blaze was deep-seated in the basement, and structural collapse made it difficult for fire crews to completely extinguish the fire, according to Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge. A piece of heavy (tractor) equipment obtained from Gwinnett County was used to dig out the basement and allow fire crews to put the fire out, he said.

Rutledge reported that the two-story approximately 3,000-square-foot house suffered heavy damage from the fire and appeared to be a total loss. The blaze originated from a fire in the fireplace and extended to the walls and attic, he said. Firefighters found the attic and roof fully involved on arrival. The fire was reported about 2:54 a.m. Sunday.

Two occupants, a husband and wife, were home at the time. They were alerted to the fire by the fire alarm system and escaped unharmed, Rutledge said.

Water was flowed from an aerial ladder truck to knock the bulk of the fire down. High flames and heavy smoke have been eliminated, he said. 

Firefighters had to battle the blaze from the outside in the bitter cold due to intensity of the fire and structural collapse of the house, Rutledge said. They rotated at the scene to take breaks and stay warm. Ice formed on the roadway due to water from the fire hoses.