Lightning Fires, Downed Trees and Power Lines Reported as Storms Hit Gwinnett

The strong storms that roared through parts of Gwinnett County Thursday night started fires and knocked down trees and power lines in the many places, Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge reported via email.

Some of the areas hit were Buford, Lawrenceville, Snellville and Duluth.

Here’s a Gwinnett Fire synopsis of the most significant incidents as of around 10:30 p.m. June 5:

HOUSE FIRE

Firefighters responded at 9:16 p.m. to an occupant report of a house fire due to lightning in the 4684 block of West Price Road, NE in Buford.

Crews found a small fire in the crawl space on arrival.  The fire was quickly extinguished. It appears that lightning hit a gas line outside and traveled into the home. No major damage and no injuries were reported.

HOUSE FIRE

Firefighters responded at 9:45 p.m. to an occupant report of a house fire in the 2030 block of Harrison Ridge Court, SW in Lawrenceville.  The occupant reported that lightning hit the corner of the roof and attic.  The occupant doused the flames with a portable fire extinguisher and evacuated. The fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters. There is no major damage reported. No injuries were reported.

HOUSE FIRE

Firefighters responded at 9:56 p.m. to an occupant report of a house fire in the 3032 block of Glynn Mill Drive, SW in Snellville. The occupant reported that lightning hit the house and there was smoke inside the residence. Crews found an active fire in the exterior wall and chimney chase on arrival. The fire was quickly extinguished by fire crews. It appears that lightning hit the gas line outside and traveled inside.There were no injuries reported.There is no major damage reported.

TREE/WIRES DOWN

Firefighters responded at 8:10 p.m. to a report of a tree and wires down on Duluth Highway, NW near Northmont Parkway in Duluth.  Crews found a power pole snapped in half and wires down on arrival. DOT was called to remove the tree and the power company was called to secure the downed electrical lines. All lanes of Highway 120 were closed to traffic at Sweetwater Creek.

TREE/WIRES DOWN

Firefighters responded at 8:55 p.m. to a report of a tree and wires down blocking the roadway on Old Shackleford Road, NW and Club Drive in Lawrenceville. The power company and DOT was requested to respond.