LAWRENCEVILLE - A Lawrenceville residence has been deemed a total loss following a house fire Thursday evening.<br />
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According to Captain Tommy Rutledge with the Gwinnett County Fire Department, crews were dispatched to the 1200-block of Stoneshyre Court near Buford Drive around 6:45 p.m. in response to a 9-1-1 call reporting a nearby home that was engulfed in flames.<br />
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Upon arrivals, Rutledge says firefighters discovered a large two-story home that was fully involved. Due to the intensity of the flames, crews were initially forced to battle the fire from outside the home.<br />
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Following a protracted firefight, crews were able to subdue the fire, which at times threatened to spread to nearby homes by way of extreme radiant heat and small spot fires that ignited in the yard surrounding the home.<br />
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Rutledge said that one male occupant was confirmed to be inside the home when the fire ignited; that man was found outside the home when crews arrived on scene. The unidentified man was reported to have a serious injury and was quickly transported to Gwinnett Medical Center in critical condition.<br />
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Rutledge said the home has been declared a total loss, with a significant collapse of the first and second floors into the home's basement.<br />
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The exact cause of the fire is unknown at this time, and Rutledge said that an investigation is now underway to determine that origin.<br />
