Lightning sparked Wesley Chapel apartment fire that displaced 200: PCFR

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. - A lightning strike sparked a three-alarm fire that destroyed an apartment building at Cobalt Apartments in Wesley Chapel on Thursday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of dozens of units and displacing about 200 residents, according to Pasco County Fire Rescue. 

Lightning sparks Wesley Chapel apartment fire

What we know:

Pasco County Fire Rescue confirmed that a lightning strike started the blaze in the 3900 block of Jermyn Loop shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday through weather reports, doorbell camera footage and the Florida State Fire Marshals Office.

Firefighters said they arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof, prompting an immediate evacuation of more than 90 units. Pasco County Fire Rescue worked alongside Tampa Fire Rescue and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue to fight the fire.

Lightning strike sparked devastating attic fire

The backstory:

Fire Rescue Chief Ryan Guynn said the fire had about a 25-minute head start before anyone called 911. "So, that’s a significant head start for a fire of this size. For any fire, in all honesty. We were behind the ball from the start," Guynn explained.

Guynn added that the fire burned above most detection systems in the building. Firefighters kept the blaze from spreading to adjacent buildings, and crews stayed on the scene overnight to eliminate hot spots.

Cobalt Apartments building faces imminent collapse

What we don't know:

Investigators are still determining the full circumstances of the blaze, as the fire remains under investigation.

It is unknown if residents will be able to retrieve any left-behind belongings. Guynn said the property manager will work with residents to figure out how or if they can get the rest of their belongings.

Unaccounted pets and total structural loss

By the numbers:

Dozens of pets were safely rescued from the building, and officials reported no injuries to residents or firefighters. All pets on the first, second and third floors have been accounted for.

However, six animals, including cats, dogs and birds, remain unaccounted for on the top level. 

Fire personnel said they will not go back inside because the condemned building is expected to collapse.

Families lose almost everything

What they're saying:

Sebastian Hernandez and his fiancée, Deanna Lotruglio, live on the first floor of the Cobalt Apartments. Both were at work when the fire broke out.

"You visibly see the structures just falling over our apartment," Hernandez said. "You see the water coming out, the water leaking from the top apartments, and people just crying and yelling near us."

Lotruglio says nearly everything they own remains inside.

"All our belongings are in there," Lotruglio said. "We only had our work clothes on our bodies and our cars, so we are just grateful that honestly we weren't home and nothing worse happened."

Lotruglio’s engagement ring was at the jeweler being resized when the fire broke out.

"Thankfully, with the grace of God that my ring was not in there," Lotruglio said.

Emergency resources and community donation efforts

What's next:

Guynn said the building is currently shifting with bulging walls and collapsed floors. A security fence was set up along the perimeter, though officials confirmed there is no danger to surrounding structures. Guynn said he expects the building to collapse in the near future. 

The American Red Cross and Pasco County Emergency Management are helping approximately 200 displaced residents with immediate resources. Pasco County Fire Rescue is also working with partners to help residents replace lost documents, such as driver’s licenses.

How to support displaced Wesley Chapel families

What you can do:

Cobalt Apartments is accepting donations for affected residents at its leasing office, located at 4338 Cobalt Brook Blvd.

Accepted items include clothing, toiletries, pet supplies, food, water, gift cards, blankets and everyday essential items.

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