Gwinnett County Firefighters Battle Buford House Fire; Man Found Dead Nearby

On Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 6:54 a.m., Gwinnett County firefighters responded to a house fire on the 3000 block of North Bogan Road NE in Buford, near the intersection of Bogan Road and Thompson Mill. Because of the home’s proximity to the county line, units from Hall County Fire Rescue were also dispatched.

Firefighters arrived at 7:00 a.m. and found heavy smoke and flames coming from a two-story single-family home with a basement. Crews deployed multiple hose lines to attack the fire, which had spread through the attic and second floor. Search teams confirmed the structure was vacant.

During the operation, firefighters observed a man in nearby woods who stated the home was vacant. Later, crews encountered the same man again—this time holding a shotgun. He did not threaten first responders, interfere with firefighting operations, or point the weapon at personnel. Incident commanders immediately notified Gwinnett County Police, who established a protective perimeter around the fireground.

The blaze was brought under control at 7:26 a.m. Crews then addressed hot spots, ventilated the structure, and monitored air quality.

As firefighters wrapped up, police were alerted by a neighbor to a deceased male on a nearby property. Investigators determined the man was the same individual seen earlier with the shotgun. Preliminary findings indicate the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to confirm the cause of death.

No other injuries were reported. Fire investigators say the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. The deceased male is believed to have been the occupant of the residence.

Resources on scene included: