Overnight fire destroys Gwinnett home | News

BUFORD, Ga. -- A house in Buford was completely destroyed by a fire early Tuesday.

The blaze was first reported at around 4:15 a.m., according to Gwinnett County Fire spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge.

When crews arrived at the house on Little Mill Parkway, they learned that the two people inside had already escaped the fire. Rutledge said they awoke to "a loud popping sound" and ran from the home. A neighbor also claimed to hear an explosion shortly before discovering the fire, Rutledge said.

Investigators believe the fire started in the garage and quickly spread to the rest of the one-story house. Rutledge said heat from the flames melted the siding on walls of two adjacent houses.

The house's residents refused help from the Red Cross and were being assisted by neighbors and friends, Rutledge said.

Investigators are now looking into the cause of the fire.