Intruder Sets Home on Fire, Homeowner Says

UPDATE: 11:25 p.m.

Channel 2 reported that the homeowner told neighbors that two men had stopped by and "asked for gas or something" before proceeding with a home invasion. The homeowner said he had fought them off with a firearm, but they had set the home alight. He was reported to have been traumatised and "roughed up" when neighbors saw him.

UPDATE FROM GCFES AT 4:15

This is an active crime scene and fire investigators are on the scene. Fire cause determination activities are underway and information about the gunfire is being collected. Investigators have not released a description of the suspect but are attempting to locate the responsible party (home invader).

Firefighters were called to the 4200 block of Peace Rose Place, Loganville, Thursday afternoon by a homeowner who told authorities an intruder had set his residence on fire, according to a press release from Gwinnett Fire and Emergency.

This home is located near Snellville, off Rosebud Road. 

Gwinnett County Police were also called to the residence because of a report of gunfire. The homeowner vacated the residence before firefighters arrived.

High winds and the advanced spread of the fire prevented firefighters from entering the house, the release says, so they had to extinguish it using the ladder truck from outside. An adjoining house was also damaged.

Grass at a home across the road also caught alight and crews were faced with downed power lines. Additional challenges were experienced because the gas could not be shut off because of damage to the gas meter. 

The fire was brought under control, but the home was a total loss, the release said. Two adults and two children are displaced and will not require Red Cross assistance. No injuries were reported.

Patch will update with more details.