Cobalt Apartments fire: 167 displaced, residents 'highly unlikely' to retrieve belongings

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. - The Cobalt Apartments in Wesley Chapel provided an update Monday on the Aug. 20 fire that destroyed one of its buildings, saying 83 occupied apartments were impacted. The complex said 167 residents were displaced and it's "highly unlikely" they will be able to retrieve personal belongings from the building.

Cobalt Apartments lightning strike

The backstory:

According to the apartment complex, lightning struck the roof of Building 2 during a storm, sparking the fire at about 2:26 p.m. Pasco County Fire Rescue previously confirmed lightning caused the blaze. 

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The fire was extinguished about 12 hours after it began, PCFR said. No injuries were reported.

Wesley Chapel apartment fire update

What we know:

Building 2 contains 104 apartment homes and has been condemned by the Pasco County Building Department, according to Cobalt.

The building has been deemed structurally unsafe to enter. Cobalt said no one is allowed inside Building 2 before demolition and that it is highly unlikely residents will be able to retrieve personal belongings.

The building was already considered unsafe following the fire, with firefighters warning it could collapse. 

Displaced resident housing assistance

By the numbers:

Of the 83 households affected by the fire, Cobalt said:

• 21 households have transferred to another apartment within Cobalt.
• Six households have transferred to nearby sister communities.
• The remaining residents have made their own alternative arrangements.

Cobalt said its onsite and corporate teams have worked with residents on emergency and long-term housing needs.

Assistance has included emergency shelter through the American Red Cross, relocation assistance, donated household necessities, gift cards, meals, veterinary services, emotional-support resources and help with insurance and other documentation.

Previously, the American Red Cross and Pasco County Emergency Management were helping displaced residents with immediate needs following the fire. 

Apartment fire alarm repairs

Dig deeper:

The lightning strike also affected fire alarm equipment serving Buildings 1 and 3, according to Cobalt.

The company said all buildings were in compliance with applicable fire and life-safety requirements and that fire alarm and safety systems were operational before the lightning strike.

Building 1's fire alarm system has since been repaired and accepted by the Fire Marshal.

Building 3 remains under repairs and is under continuous visual fire watch until its alarm system is restored and verified in accordance with PCFR requirements.

The fire previously prompted questions about the complex's fire alarm systems after residents reported they did not hear alarms during the blaze. Pasco firefighters said the fire burned in the attic above areas where detection systems could operate. 

Community relief efforts

Big picture view:

Cobalt said local businesses, restaurants, organizations and individuals have donated food, clothing, household necessities, gift cards and services to help residents affected by the fire.

The apartment complex said its social media channels have reached more than 600,000 people since the incident, helping connect displaced residents with resources and individual fundraising efforts.

Demolition and repair timeline

What we don't know:

Officials have not released a specific start date for the demolition of Building 2. It remains unknown when repairs on Building 3's alarm system will be completed to lift the visual fire watch.

Site recovery planning

What's next:

Cobalt said it continues to work with PCFR, the Fire Marshal, structural engineers, insurance and recovery professionals and other partners as the recovery continues.

The remainder of the 401-unit community remains in operation, according to Cobalt.