Red Cross helping Jacksonville family after lightning sets fire to home

Firefighters say a Jacksonville apartment was hit by lightning Sunday evening, and now the Red Cross is helping the displaced family

It happened at one of the apartments in Forest Meadows-West, which is a Jacksonville Housing Authority property located on Richard Street.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department told Action News Jax the fire was small and manageable, but firefighters needed to cut holes in the roof of the apartment to make sure it was out.

Residents say they’re just happy there were no injuries.

Eva Aleman lives in the apartment with her dog and was inside cooking when the lightning struck.

“Whatever the mess is inside my house, it’s nothing,” said Aleman. “My neighbors are fine, and we’re alive."

She says when the lightning struck it shattered a window and she ran to get help from her neighbors.

Fire crews say they believe a lighting bolt hit the roof.

The apartment was littered with ceiling insulation after firefighters had to cut holes in the roof to make sure the fire was out.

First Alert Meteorologist Arielle Nixon says at the time of the fire there were between 200 and 300 lightning strikes recorded in that area.

Cox Media Group