Eight residents rescued in overnight Duluth apartment fire; 26 units impacted and residents displaced

Firefighters shift from rescue to suppression after residents reported trapped above smoke and flames

Eight people were rescued just before and after midnight Tuesday, January 20, 2026, during an apartment fire at the Cortland Duluth complex in Gwinnett County, officials said. The fire prompted evacuations in a multi-story building and left dozens of residents needing temporary housing support.

Emergency crews were dispatched shortly before midnight after reports of smoke inside an apartment. Firefighters arriving at the complex, located on Herrington Road NW/Boggs Road NW in Duluth, encountered heavy smoke and visible fire conditions. Officials said several residents were trapped on upper floors as smoke spread through parts of the building.

Fire crews moved into a rescue-focused operation upon confirming occupants were unable to exit safely. Rescues were completed using ladders, including ground ladders and an aerial ladder, to reach people on upper levels and balconies. Three people were evaluated by medical personnel at the scene for minor complaints consistent with smoke exposure; none were transported to a hospital, officials said. No firefighter injuries were reported.

Building evacuation, structural concerns and the scope of displacement

After the rescues were completed and residents were accounted for, firefighters transitioned to fire attack operations. Officials said crews used multiple hose lines and elevated streams. Due to concerns about building stability, the operation shifted from an interior approach to a defensive strategy.

Officials said the affected building contained 28 units, with 26 of those units occupied at the time of the incident. The fire and related damage impacted 26 apartments, triggering a relocation effort for displaced residents. In addition to fire damage in several units, officials reported water damage throughout the building.

• Rescues completed: 8 people
• People evaluated medically at the scene: 3
• Apartment units in the building: 28
• Occupied units at the time: 26
• Units impacted by fire and related damage: 26

Resident assistance and ongoing investigation

The American Red Cross and property management began coordinating temporary assistance and relocation planning for residents from impacted units, officials said. The total number of individuals displaced had not been publicly confirmed early Tuesday.

The cause and origin of the fire remained under investigation. Officials have not released information on where within the building the fire started, what may have ignited it, or the extent of damage to individual units beyond the number impacted overall.

Residents who were unable to exit safely were reached by ladder rescues as crews prioritized life safety operations.

Officials said additional updates are expected as investigators complete scene assessments and determine a cause.