Fires damage houses, vehicles

Two houses and multiple vehicles were damaged early New Year’s Day in fires at Gwin- nett County residences, a fire department spokesman said in a statement.

In unincorporated Loganville, extensive damage was reported in the 1600 block of Summit Glen Circle, Capt. Tommy Rutledge said.

Five people were asleep and were alerted by smoke alarms sounding, according to Rutledge. They managed to get out and no injuries were reported.

“Per the fire investigator, the blaze appears accidental and originated on the exterior of the home due to spent fire- works,” Rutledge said. “The fireworks were placed in a trash container on the side of the house after being discharged earlier in the evening to ring in the New Year.”

The American Red Cross of Georgia was contacted to provide temporary assistance for the displaced family.

“Cooking practices” were cited by the fire investigator as the apparent cause of a fire in the 2600 block of Delridge Drive in unincorporated Lilburn, Rutledge said.

“An occupant was heating a pan of grease to cook and fell asleep upstairs,” Rutledge said. “Another occupant was asleep downstairs in the den and awoke to a loud popping sound. The man discovered flames in the kitchen and got everyone out of the house.”

One adult was evaluated and released at the scene. The Red Cross was contacted to help the displaced family of six.

In unincorporated Snellville, a fire destroyed a work truck and caused heavy damage to a pickup truck parked in the driveway, according to Rutledge. A third pickup truck sustained moderate cosmetic damage.