A family returned to their Norcross area home last night, only to find that the carport and car had caught fire soon after they arrived. The fire quickly spread to the home. All five family members were able to escape, but their home is a complete loss. 

A 2004 Ford Explorer was parked in a detached carport at 2829 Payne Rd in an unincorportated part of Norcross around 6:30 p.m. Shortly after, one of the kids saw flames from the back windown of the house and told the others--allowing them all to escape with no injuries.

Gwinnett County fire and emergency crews responded to a call at 7:26 p.m. "The blaze was also spreading to the backyard of the home as firefighters deployed attack lines," said Cpt. Tommy Rutledge. "Firefighters were not able to immediately enter the home due to the intense fire conditions throughout."

Rutledge said that it is not known if the fire started in the carport, with the car itself or some other way. 

The Red Cross is providing assistence to the family, which is renting another home.