Occupant injured during house fire

LILBURN, Ga. - Gwinnett County Firefighters responded to a report from a neighbor of a house fire in the 400 block of James Street in (unincorporated) Lilburn. 

The caller reported smoke coming from the home and two vehicles parked in the driveway.  They attempted to knock at the door, but got no response.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the eaves of a single-story house over a basement.  Firefighters were made aware of a possible victim inside and made immediate entry to conduct a rapid search and combat the blaze. 

Crews located an unconscious adult male victim on the main-level and removed him from the structure.  Paramedics initiated advanced medical care and transported the man to the hospital in life-threatening condition.  Firefighters were challenged by extreme clutter inside the home as they performed search & rescue efforts and as they worked to extinguish the fire. 

The blaze caused extensive damage inside the home.   

A second occupant, an adult female, was not home at the time of the fire and no other injuries were reported.  The two are described as husband and wife.   

The cause of the fire is currently undetermined and is under active investigation by the Fire Department.