RIVERVIEW, Fla. -- Hillsborough County Fire Rescue says the fire that tore through an apartment building Wednesday evening in Riverview was caused by a lightning strike.
- Lightning strike caused fire
- More than 20 units affected
- Many families are displaced
Firefighters said that more than 20 units and possibly more than one hundred people were affected by the fire at Allegro Palm Apartments, located at 5501 Legacy Crescent Place.
Officials say that no one was hurt, but many people are now displaced.
Red Cross says they are assisting at least 17 families and that number could rise as more people return to assess the damage to their homes.
Some said that they heard a loud bang and then noticed smoke and flames soon after. Witnesses reported that they could see smoke all the way from U.S. Highway 301.
Spectrum Bay News 9 meteorologist Brian McClure said there were two lightning strikes that hit the ground in the vicinity of the complex Wednesday evening, one around 7:15 p.m. and another around 7:30 p.m.