Dog Dies, Residents Displaced In Gwinnett County House Fire

SUGAR HILL, GA — A dog died in a house fire Wednesday in the 5000 block of Hidden Branch Drive, according to Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.

Two adults and two dogs who were displaced by the fire and are being helped by the American Red Cross, according to the department.

A 911 caller notified first responders that a kitchen in the home was on fire. The house fire was "well-involved" when crews arrived, fire officials said.

A man living in the house was asleep when he heard popping noises, then he saw smoke in the hallway, fire officials said. The smoke alarms failed to alert the residents.

Crews found the dog dead inside of the home while searching for victims, fire officials said.

There were no other reported injuries, and the house suffered heavy fire damage, fire officials said.

The fire was ruled accidental and started because of a stove.

Gwinnett fire officials offered the following safety tips to prevent kitchen fires:

• Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking.
• Keep children and flammable items away from the stovetop, including oven mitts, potholders, food packaging and dishtowels.
• Most cooking fires start when someone is frying food. Be sure to keep an eye on the food while you are frying.