Lightning strike sets Charlotte County apartment ablaze

Charlotte County firefighters battled a fire caused by a lightning strike at an apartment complex on Rampart Boulevard Wednesday night. According to Charlotte County Public Safety, crews were dispatched to the apartment complex at around 6:22 p.m. When Engine 12 arrived, crews discovered a two-story apartment building with fire showing from the roof. Crews worked to clear the building while firefighters attacked the fire from inside the building and from the roof, CCPS said. The fire was contained to one apartment unit, but a neighboring unit sustained some water damage as a result of the firefighting operations. Crews were able to extinguish the fire, which was determined to be caused by a lightning strike. No injuries were reported. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.