Hoverboard Apartment Fire Causes 38 To Be Displaced In Gwinnett

PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA – Hoverboard components are being blamed for a Gwinnett apartment complex fire Thursday that displaced 38 people. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters responded at 10:06 p.m. to an occupant report of an apartment fire at The Fields Peachtree Corners Apartments, 6520 Hillandale Drive NW in Peachtree Corners. The caller to 911 reported an apartment on fire and smoke visible. The caller advised they were notifying occupants to evacuate.

Crews arrived on scene to find a working fire in the apartment building with a total of ten units. Firefighters were fighting heavy smoke from the center breezeway. Crews performed a walk-around of the structure and found heavy fire coming from a patio door on the rear of the building. Five occupants were located on an adjacent third floor balcony on the rear of the structure. Ground ladders were placed as an aggressive interior fire attack was made to knock down the fire, according to the fire department.

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Occupants on the balcony were safely evacuated through the breezeway. Additional crews arrived on scene and completed evacuations with primary searches of the entire building. Fire crews were able to contain the fire to a single apartment. The blaze caused extensive fire damage to the apartment of origin. An apartment beneath the unit received moderate water damage. With multiple doors forced open during evacuations and smoke damage throughout the entire structure, it was determined the entire building would be displaced due to the damage.

A fire investigator was requested to respond and assist with the origin and cause determination. The fire investigator determined the fire originated in the living room and was caused by hoverboard components.

The occupants from the apartment where the fire started were not home at the time of the blaze, but neighbors reported hearing smoke alarms through the walls. Approximately 38 occupants from the nine units were displaced. One unit in the building was vacant. The American Red Cross provided assistance.

Fire officials suggest having a working smoke alarm on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms. Be sure to test the alarm monthly and change the battery twice a year. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice fire drills regularly.

Equipment on the scene included: six engines, two ladder trucks, one squad, one air/light unit, one medic unit, one medical supervisor, two battalion chiefs, one district commander and one fire investigator.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Fire Department