Memorial Day Blaze Forces Residents From Gwinnett Apartments

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — About 20 residents were displaced from a Duluth apartment complex on Memorial Day after a fast-spreading fire burned the top off their building.

Firefighters responded around midday to The Portico Apartments on Preston Park Drive after a 911 caller reported “flames showing from building 100,” according to a statement from Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. Crews arrived to find flame and heavy smoke coming from the balcony and attic of a third-floor apartment.

The blaze appeared to have started on the balcony and was accidental, said a fire-department investigator. Because of smoke, water and fire damage, residents of all 16 units — about 20 people in all — had to move out. Apartment management and the American Red Cross worked together to help them. Nobody was injured.

Monday’s blaze was the second major apartment fire in Gwinnett County over the Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday morning, a woman died when fire ripped through her unit at JSD Apartments, located on Sarah Court NW in unincorporated Norcross.

Read the news release about the fire from Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.