(Norcross, Ga., Mar. 13, 2024) – Firefighters responded at 1:12 p.m. to reports of an apartment fire at Forest Vale Apartments at 1143 Forest Vale Drive in Norcross. The 911 caller advised there was a fire in one of the apartments. The caller stated they were at the leasing office and did not know if anyone was evacuating but would confirm with the occupants.

Upon arrival, crews found a working fire from a two-story apartment building. While investigating, firefighters found fire involvement on the first-floor unit extending into the attic space through the common wall. Crews deployed two hose lines to extinguish the flames as well as utilized vertical ventilation to assist with the fire attack. Firefighters checked for extension in the adjacent apartments and found fire, smoke, and water damage. Firefighters confirmed that all persons were evacuated from the apartment units and cleared all the apartments, revealing no fire. Firefighters ensured all fire was extinguished in the structure. Once the fire was controlled, heavy fire damage was found in all four apartment units on the right side of the building due to the fire extending into the shared wall and the attic. The units on the left side of the building were not damaged by water or flames and the occupants were able to return to that portion of the building. No injuries or medical complaints were found on the scene.

The occupants stated they were home at the time of the fire and noticed a strange smell in the kitchen. They notified the apartment maintenance who did not find any issues with the oven, where the occupant originally thought the smell was coming from. A few minutes later the occupant noticed a crackling sound in the wall and realized the apartment was on fire. There were 14 adults and six children who were displaced due to the fire, smoke, and water damage. The American Red Cross was requested, and the apartment management will be assisting the occupants further. Smoke alarms were present and active at the time of the fire.

Fire Investigators responded to the scene for cause and determination. Investigators determined the fire originated from the first-floor apartment unit, and the cause was accidental, electrical in nature.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 5-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Rescue, 2-Med Units, 3-Command Staff Units, 1-Air and Light Unit, 1-Investigator, and 1-PIO.

Note: For pictures of this incident please visit our Facebook account @GwinnettFire.

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