Fire ruled an accident in Gwinnett County apartments

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Fire investigators said the fire that damaged several units in the apartment building on Fairway Oaks Drive on Thursday seems to be accidental.

Two tenants told investigators they smelled smoke in the laundry room area; and one reported seeing flames coming through a wall drain pipe. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but no foul play is expected.

Some residents of a Gwinnett County apartment complex were left homeless on Thursday afternoon after a fire tore through one of the buildings.

It happened in the 3300 block of Fairway Oaks Drive NW near Lawrenceville just after 2 p.m. Firefighters said they found fire shooting through the roof when they got to the scene.

Fire officials said suppression efforts were slowed due to a partial collapse of the building. It took about a half hour to get the fire under control.

Apartment managers are working with residents to relocate those affected by the fire. No word on the number of people left homeless.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.