Fort Worth apartment fire caused by lightning strike injures 1 person

FORT WORTH, TX (CBSDFW.COM) More than 20 people were left homeless on Wednesday morning after a lightning strike caused a fire at an apartment complex.

Fire officials said several calls were received around 4:30 am on February 8, 2023 about building fires caused by lightning strikes as the storm passed through Fort Worth. Many came in the southwest part of the city, including a 4:54 a.m. call about a fire at an apartment complex in the 6800 block of Bay Line Dr.

When the crews arrived soon after, they saw flames coming out from under the roof of the two-story complex and began to put out the fire. A second alert was raised to bring in more resources, and it took more than two hours and about 70 firefighters to put out the fire.

During the hell, eight housing units were damaged, leaving about 20 residents homeless, and the American Red Cross of Greater North Texas provided assistance.

One person was injured and taken to hospital; their status is currently unknown.