On Jan. 11 in Lilburn, Ga., firefighters responded to a two-story house fire that began in the garage and spread into the main living area and attic. A son woke his mother and helped her escape, then reentered the burning home to try to rescue the family dog and later died after succumbing to smoke. Fire crews found the man in the entryway and transported him to a hospital; one police officer sustained minor injuries. Officials reported no active smoke alarms and say the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Heroic Son Saves Mother From Lilburn House Fire, Dies After Reentering To Rescue Family Dog
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency ServicesThe Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services shared a photo from the scene of a Jan. 11, 2026, house fire in Lilburn, Ga., that claimed one life
A devastating house fire in Lilburn, Georgia, on the evening of Jan. 11 left a family and first responders shaken after a man who helped his mother escape later died attempting to rescue the family dog.
What Happened
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services responded to a report of a blaze at a two-story home in the 200 block of Sandra Drive at about 6:23 p.m. Fire crews found heavy fire in the garage and main living area that had extended into the attic.
Officials said two people were at the residence when the fire began. According to the fire department and a neighbor’s account, the son woke his mother and helped her evacuate the home before first responders arrived.
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency ServicesA Jan. 11, 2026, home fire in Lilburn, Ga., claimed one life
Rescue and Aftermath
Firefighters located the man in the entryway and removed him from the structure. He was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. The department said the son later 'succumbed to the smoke conditions' after reentering the burning home to try to retrieve the family dog.
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services: The garage, main living area and attic suffered major fire damage; no smoke alarms were active at the time of the fire. The cause is under investigation.
In addition to the fatality, one Lilburn police officer sustained minor injuries and was assessed and released at the scene; another person was evaluated and released by emergency personnel. Officials have not publicly disclosed the current condition of the mother or the status of the family dog.
Investigation and Safety Notes
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze. Local officials noted that no smoke alarms were active in the home at the time of the fire. Fire safety experts emphasize the lifesaving importance of properly installed and maintained smoke alarms, and having an escape plan for every household.
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