House fire kills elderly man in Gwinnett County

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Officials are investigating a fatal house fire that happened in unincorporated Lawrenceville on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services said that the fire occurred at a home on Bleeker Street in unincorporated Lawrenceville.

A neighbor reported the blaze after they said they heard what sounded like an explosion and saw flames. By the time a crew came to the house at around 11:19 a.m. it was covered with heavy flames on the right side of the house and garage.

One victim, whose identity has not been released was described as a man in his mid-70s, was killed in the fire. After searching, Firefighters learned that the victim's wife was away visiting her daughter.

One of the two dogs was found safe. The other died in the flames.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and undetermined. Initial reports seem to point the explosion to medical oxygen tanks and ammunition that were in the area of the home that was burned, officials said.