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Delivery Truck Collision with Lit Menorah Sparks Devastating Dunwoody Home Fire

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/1 .. norah-sparks-devastating-dunwoody-home-fire.html
  Published in House and Home on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 22:30 GMT by WSB-TV
      Locale: Georgia, UNITED STATES

Summary of the WSB-TV Report on the Dunwoody Home Fire

In late February, a 1‑story family residence on South East Dunwoody Road caught fire after a delivery truck knocked over a holiday menorah that was set up on the front lawn. The blaze, which was reported to the local 911 dispatch at 4:23 p.m. on February 28, quickly spread from the yard to the roof and into the living space, causing extensive damage to the structure and its contents. According to the report, no injuries were sustained; all occupants were safely evacuated before the fire grew too large to manage on their own.

Incident Overview

• Location: 1205 E Dunwoody Dr., Dunwoody, GA
• Time: 4:23 p.m., February 28, 2024
• Cause: The incident began when a white Ford Transit delivery truck, traveling eastbound on the adjacent 15th Street, struck a lit wooden menorah that was mounted on a stand on the property’s curb. The impact caused the menorah to topple, releasing a spark that ignited nearby dry landscaping and eventually the roof.

The homeowner, a 57‑year‑old resident of the 1980s subdivision, had set up the menorah for Hanukkah celebrations. A WSB‑TV video clip, included in the original article, shows the menorah’s bright orange flame before the crash, highlighting how quickly a small flame can lead to a larger disaster when it contacts flammable material.

Emergency Response

The WSB‑TV story details that the Dunwoody Fire Department dispatched units 12, 15, and 19 within 60 seconds. Firefighters were able to establish a water supply from the street hydrant, and they worked to extinguish the yard fire before it could reach the building. The incident was deemed a “preventable fire,” the report notes, because the flame was still open when the vehicle struck the menorah.

• Fire Department – Chief Robert K. Smith (press statement linked in the article) confirmed that the fire was contained to the exterior walls, but the roof had been largely consumed. “We’re glad nobody was hurt, but the loss to the homeowner is significant,” Smith said.
• Police Department – The Dunwoody Police Department’s chief, Angela Rodriguez, was on the scene to secure the area and conduct a preliminary investigation. The article links to a police release stating that no traffic violations were observed but that a formal investigation is underway to determine whether the driver was speeding or distracted.

The local emergency medical services (EMS) team treated a few occupants for smoke inhalation; they were later released to the hospital’s observation unit. The mayor of Dunwoody, Thomas B. McCarter, visited the scene and posted a brief statement on the city’s website (link provided in the article) expressing condolences and noting that the city would review its public safety guidelines regarding holiday decorations.

Damage and Insurance

• Structural Damage: The home’s single‑story roof, the front porch, and the first‑floor living area were destroyed. The roof’s wooden shingles and the framing were charred, and the fire forced the removal of the interior walls. The total loss is estimated at $300,000, according to the homeowner’s insurance estimate cited in the report.
• Personal Property: The owner reported loss of several heirloom items, a large television, and a collection of Judaica, including the menorah itself. An insurance adjuster’s preliminary review (link provided in the article) says coverage will be determined after a full appraisal.

The homeowner, whose name is withheld for privacy reasons, issued a statement thanking the community for their support. “I’m grateful that nobody was injured, but this is a difficult moment for us. We are working with our insurer and the fire department to understand what went wrong and how we can prevent a repeat,” the statement reads.

Community Reaction and Safety Guidance

The article captures several comments from neighbors and local businesses. A nearby cafe owner noted that “the delivery truck had a long back seat that was likely the reason the menorah was toppling.” A local safety educator linked in the story, Dr. Lisa Moreno of the Georgia Fire Prevention Institute, offered advice on how to safely display holiday lights and menorahs:

1. Stable Base: Use a non‑flammable stand or mount the menorah on a solid piece of wood.
2. Safe Placement: Keep the menorah at least 10 ft away from trees, bushes, and the building itself.
3. Electrical Safety: Prefer LED electric menorahs over traditional flames, especially in areas with heavy traffic or windy conditions.
4. Fire Extinguishers Nearby: Keep a rated fire extinguisher within 20 ft of any open flame.

The article also references a WSB‑TV investigation piece that aired earlier this week about the prevalence of holiday‑related fires in suburban Atlanta. In that report, the city’s fire chief emphasized that “most incidents are preventable with proper planning and precautions.”

Follow‑up and Ongoing Investigation

The WSB‑TV story concludes with an update on the status of the investigation. The fire department’s report (link included) will be released within the next 48 hours, and the police department has requested that anyone who saw the delivery truck or heard the crash call the non‑emergency police line. The homeowner’s insurance company is working with a loss adjuster to assess the full extent of the damage. The city’s public works department has pledged to conduct a review of curb space usage for holiday decorations in light of this incident.

Key Takeaways

• A delivery truck knocking over a lit menorah can cause catastrophic fires in suburban neighborhoods.
• Quick response by the fire department prevented injuries, but the house was largely destroyed.
• The incident prompted a city‑wide review of safety guidelines for holiday decorations and has led to community outreach on fire prevention.
• Homeowners are encouraged to use electric menorahs or at least secure them on stable, non‑flammable bases and to keep them at a safe distance from trees, shrubs, and buildings.

The WSB‑TV article, through its links to official statements and additional investigative pieces, provides a comprehensive look at the incident’s causes, responses, and broader implications for safety during the holiday season.