A woman was killed in a house fire Saturday afternoon off Mae Belle Way in unincorporated Lawrenceville.
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services said in a social media post that crews responded to that home around 5:30 p.m. Saturday after receiving a 911 call. The caller told dispatch the house was on fire and that a woman who was in a wheelchair was inside the home.
Arriving crews found the single-family, two-story home on fire.
Firefighters attempted an aggressive search of the main floor, eventually finding the woman who had died as a result of the fire.
"While investigating, firefighters noted high heat and heavy fire involvement on the first floor and second floor," the post said. "Crews cleared the basement and had no fire in that area."
Once the fire was controlled, crews found extensive fire and smoke damage on the first and second floors.
No other injuries were reported, aside from the single victim.
A resident of the home later arrived on scene and told crews their stepmother was handicapped and bedridden, and was unable to escape on her own.
"No active fire alarms were found inside the home at the time of the fire," the post said. "The American Red Cross was requested for one adult and one dog."
Fire investigators determined the origin of the fire was on the main floor in the living room area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
"This incident serves as a good reminder of how important it is to learn the sounds of fire safety such as fire alarms," the post said. "For additional information or to schedule an education program please send an email to [email protected] or call 678.518.4845."
