Gwinnett Staffer's Home Destroyed In Buford Blaze That Displaced 3

BUFORD — The home that was completely destroyed Sunday in a Patrick Mill Place fire that displaced three adults belonged to an employee of Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, the department said Monday.

The employee, who was not identified, was not home at the time of the fire, officials said. Two dogs were rescued in the fire and reunited with their family.

"Department staff are extending multiple resources to the family while keeping county dignitaries and the county administrator’s office updated with any concerns or needs," fire officials said in a news release.

Firefighters responded around 6 a.m. to the 1800 block of Patrick Mill, where they saw heavy fire coming from a single-story house, fire officials said.

Someone told crews a loud boom noise startled him while he was asleep. He then discovered a fire in the garage and notified authorities while escaping, fire officials said.

Radiant heat from the fire had begun to melt the house siding on the neighbor's home, fire officials said.

Firefighters gained control of the fire around 6:30 a.m., when they then started to search for the two pet dogs, fire officials said. They found the dogs and reunited them with their family.

An adult was treated on the scene for unknown non-threatening medical complaints and was then released, fire officials said. No one else was injured.

The house was deemed "a total loss," causing the family to be displaced, fire officials said. The American Red Cross is assisting the family.

While battling the blaze, crews also faced below 12-degree temperatures, fire officials said.

"Due to the weather conditions and water on the street remaining from fire operations, firefighters requested a sand truck from the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation," fire officials said in a past news release.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.