GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Fire officials say five people died in a fire in Gwinnett County early Sunday morning.
The fire was reported at a 2-story in the 2200 block of Post Oak Drive NW, in unincorporated Duluth.
A neighbor called 911 to report the fire just before 3:30 a.m. The house was fully involved when the first fire trucks arrived.
Gwinnett County Fire confirmed to Channel 2 Action News three females and two males died in the Sunday morning fire. Investigators have also removed a dog and cat that were deceased.
Firefighters said the flames were so intense that at first, they could only fight the fire from the outside. It took about 45 minutes of intense firefighting before crews could enter the home.
Family members said there was a gathering at the home Saturday night and they used a fire pit on the back deck. Investigators have not ruled out the firepit as the cause of the fire.
“They had a bon fire outside and I believe they thought they had put the fire out,” said neighbor Jessica Fields.
Crews say part of the interior of the house collapsed.
Family members said that three adults, in their 40’s, two women and a man, his 19-year-old daughter and her 21-year-old boyfriend were inside the home.
Neighbors said two younger girls would often stay at the home but were not there Saturday.
“Luckily the woman who rents the house out, her two youngest kids were at their biological families’ house, so they are safe,” Fields said.
Fields who spotted the fire said she used to see the family often.
“Every day you see them passing by… to longer see them anymore, it’s a traumatic event. I feel for that family,” Fields said. %
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The family said one of the victim’s also has a 3-year-old boy, who lives with grandparents. He is OK, but is now without his mother.
Multiple agencies are on the scene investigating the fire scene.
Investigators have not yet been able to determine how the fire started.
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