Lightning strikes apartment building

Published 5:13 pm Friday, July 17, 2009

One of the buildings at the Sadler Pond apartment complex was severely damaged Friday afternoon when it apparently caught on fire due to a lightning strike.

Suffolk city spokesperson Debbie George said the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department received a phone call around 4 p.m. Friday about lightning striking an apartment building located at 2508 Parkview Court.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, the building’s attic was on fire. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the attic, however the apartment below the attic suffered extensive fire and water damage. George said the apartment appears to be a total loss.

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Additionally, two other apartments sustained water damage.

George said an estimated 20 people were displaced because of the damage as well as the power being cut to the remainder of the building.

There were no injuries reported.

George said it is believed lightning caused the fire, given the severity of the storm and the number of lightning strikes reported throughout the city. She added the fire was the most severe result of Friday afternoon’s storm.