Lightning Starts Fire, Displaces Five Families

NEWBERRY ‒ Units from Newberry Fire Rescue, High Springs Fire Rescue and Alachua County Fire Rescue responded to reports of a multi-unit, multi-floor, residential structure fire in the Country Way development in Newberry.

At 5:41 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2024, the dispatch center reported that they received calls that lightning had struck the roof of one of the buildings in the development following an afternoon thunderstorm.

The first unit on scene confirmed a structure fire, with fire and smoke coming from the roof of a three-story building. Multiple fire trucks were called to the scene and an aggressive, interior fire attack was initiated. Because of the combined efforts of all firefighters, the fire was brought under control quickly with all damage being kept to the apartment of origin.

Five families were displaced because of the incident, but no loss of life or injuries were incurred. The fire is under investigation by the County Fire Marshall’s office.

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