No residents nor their pets were injured following a large fire at a Duluth apartment complex Friday night.
An apartment and two patios at Bridgewater Apartments on Ridge Brook Trail were engulfed in flames when Gwinnett County Fire officials responded to the 911 call around 5:30 p.m.
According to fire officials, there was heavy fire showing from the back of the two-three split apartment building, quickly consuming decks and attic space. Firefighters began with an external attack and evacuated other residents at risk; they attempted to make an aggressive interior attack but had to change course with the fire activity in the attic and the collapse of the roof. Due to the location of the flames, fire alarm systems did not activate right away.
Three apartments were significantly damaged by fire and two below those were damaged extensively by water. 15 additional apartments were impacted. Approximately 40 adults and children were displaced from 19 occupied units. Apartment management and the American Red Cross are assisting.
Fire investigators determined that the fire started on the rear balcony of a main floor apartment, but are unsure what caused it yet.
45 firefighters from Gwinnett County Fire responded to the scene and the fire was controlled in roughly an hour.
