Spark Ignites Fire at Lawrenceville Restaurant

A fire early Sunday heavily damaged a Lawrenceville restaurant, but there were no injuries reported, according to the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

The blaze at the Eagles Landing Restaurant appears to be accidental and started inside a wall due to an electrical malfunction, according to fire investigators. The flames spread to the attic via the interior wall and broke through the roof.

The restaurant was closed at the time the fire erupted, and no one was inside when the fire department arrived.

Firefighters responded at 4:41 a.m. to the restaurant, in the 3001 block of River Drive SW in Lawrenceville. Smoke was pouring from the roof at the time of the 911 call, the fire department said, and the fire was brought under control by 5:15 a.m.

Crews arrived to find a working fire in the back of the one-story wood frame and brick structure. Flames were already in the attic and beginning to break through the roof over the kitchen as firefighters gained access inside. The blaze was contained to the back of the restaurant and caused heavy damage to the kitchen and attic above.

There was smoke damage throughout the building, the fire department said. Firefighters had to pull out the ceiling in the dining room to check for an extension of the flames. No estimate was released on the cost of the damage.

Eagles Landing will remain closed for an extended time until repairs to the building can be made, the fire department said. The owners and several employees were at the business when fire crews left the scene Sunday morning.