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."
Red Cross helping a local woman after lightning strike damages her apt. @NixonFirstAlert says 200-300 ⚡️strikes in that area last night. pic.twitter.com/CT6ix0o1MS
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) June 26, 2017
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.
8:02pm: Continuing to track this line of heavy rain and lightning moving through Duval county. #FirstAlertWX pic.twitter.com/2w8O8cHdqF
— Garrett Bedenbaugh (@wxgarrett) June 26, 2017
Lightning strike hits an Englewood apartment complex, and we're getting a close up view of the damage. Next at 11 @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/ZqVGsTIlKO
— Kevin Clark (@KClark_News) June 26, 2017
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