JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An apartment complex on the Southside caught fire Thursday night during a round of thunderstorms that went through the area.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded to the Evergreen Apartments on Southbrook Drive near Southside Boulevard just after 7 p.m.
Officials said it took firefighters about 30 minutes to put out the blaze after the roof caved in on one apartment creating a hazard that firefighters had to work around.
"The first two companies did an excellent job. I had two engine companies and a ladder company that did an excellent job. They got inside and made sure no one was inside. Thought the fire ended everything they need to do and stop the fire right there," JFRD District Chief Steve Gerber, said.
Officials believe the fire started as a result of a lightning strike but are waiting on the fire marshal to inspect the apartments to make sure.
In total, four apartments were affected by the fire, one with severe fire damage and three more with water damage, and four adults, two children and a cat were displaced.
One resident said they escaped the fire after a neighbor knocked on their door and said they smelled smoke.
Red Cross was at the scene attempting to help the five people from two families that were affected by the blaze.
Gerber said that unfortunately there isn't much anyone can do to prevent lightning from striking a home but there is something that can be done if it does.
"If you hear a thud or a crack or start smelling smoke, chance are it's in the attic. The best thing to do if you think your house has been hit is to get out and take a look and see the damage and call the fire department," Gerber said.