A lightning strike is what residents at an apartment complex believe to be the cause of the fire that burned their complex. The apartment is located at 500 Belcher Road.
The first call came in at 7:45 a.m., according to Largo Fire Dist. Chief Kelly Callahan. Firefighters arrived to find flames coming from the roof of the outside staircase. The fire spread into the attic space of the upstairs apartment.
At least 15 residents at the Bel Harbour Apartments were evacuated. Two of the eight units have severe damage. Residents in the six other units should be able to go back in their homes on Monday.
An investigator at the scene said lightning is what started it. Pictures from the scene show a large hole just above a balcony, that may have been the point of impact. No injuries have been reported.
No one was inside the condo closest to where lightning hit Bal Harbour Apts. All other condos evacuated. pic.twitter.com/bKTXD2aENc
— Adam Z. Winer (@adamzwiner) June 22, 2015
