Cat Dies in Lilburn House Fire

Gwinnett firefighters were able to rescue one cat from a house fire on Oak Circle in Lilburn, but a second cat didn't survive. All members of the household - two adults and one child - were safe.

The blaze, reported at 12:09 a.m. Saturday morning, caused moderate damage in the basement, and there was thick smoke throughout the house, fire department spokesman Tommy Rutledge said in an email.

The fire apparently started near the water heater in the basement. The house occupants were awakened by the smoke alarm and made it out of the house uninjured.

"This fire and the fact that occupants were able to escape is a prime example of why smoke alarms are so important," the department said.

"Had it not been for the noise of the smoke alarm, the residents could have been trapped inside," Rugledge said.

The fire department urges homeowners and renters to install working smoke detectors on every level of the house and in every bedroom, and to develop an escape plan and practice fire drills.

In a second incident in Lilburn, firefighters put out a car blaze on Nash Lee Court and Nash Lee Drive around 2:35 a.m. No one was injured. The department is investigating the cause.

In Norcross, firefighters put out a basement fire about 2 a.m. The occupants weren't there when the fire started and found thick smoke when they opened the door after returning home. There were no injuries.