Several boats were destroyed in a Thursday night fire at the Bass Pro Shop on Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville.
Gwinnett County Fire Department Capt. Tommy Rutledge said firefighters were called to the business after a 911 caller reported seeing two boats in flames next to the building.
"Crews arrived at 10:17 p.m. to find heavy smoke and flames showing from several boats in the parking lot on the I-85 side of the building," Rutledge said in a press statement. "The fire was contained to an area of the parking lot that is used for storage. The blaze caused heavy damage to four bass fishing boats and trailers."
Rutledge said Sugarloaf Mills Mall was temporarily evacuated, but the fire and smoke never entered the mall itself.
"The department’s Hazmat Team was requested to check for potential runoff in a nearby storm drain due to firefighting efforts. There was no significant runoff detected," Rutledge said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
