Lightning strike causes apartment fire

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – A lightning strike on the roof of an apartment complex sparked a fire in The Woodlands.

Firefighters said lightning hit the roof of a complex on Pruitt Road and I-45.  The residents of the three-story building said the entire building shook with the force of the strike.

Moments later, neighbors from other buildings went door to door, alerting other residents to the fire. 

The South Montgomery County Fire Department responded to the blaze first. When they arrived at the complex, they found heavy flames pouring from the roof.  Firefighters pulled a second alarm, bringing in fire departments from Needham, Conroe, Spring and Timber Lakes.

Within an hour, firefighters said the blaze was brought under control.

However, four units were destroyed and four others sustained heavy smoke and water damage.  The remaining 16 units in the building were also damaged by smoke and water.

No one was injured in the fire.