ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- The storm pushed through Friday with little fanfare, but it took one lightning strike to send tenants inside a Robinson Township apartment building scrambling.
Firefighters said they believe the lightning bolt hit the top of the building, traveling down to the foundation.
"I knew something was wrong. It was lightning and thundering. All of a sudden we heard a loud boom it shook the room a little bit so we all came out to see what was going on," said displaced resident Isici Layne.
It took firefighters no more than 20 minutes to extinguish the fire caused by the strike, but the damage will last a lot longer.
Everyone inside the building escaped safely, but four adults and two children were left without a home.
"There's no other evidence of any other electrical problem or gas problem or anything," said Chief Jack Carney of the Robinson Township Fire Department.
Layne and Jamillea Banks said theirs homes were pretty much destroyed.
"The bottom apartment, it melted up the whole floor, so we can't even go in now," said Banks.
Fire crews spent extra time making sure certain hot spots were completely extinguished.
The building also sustained water damage.
Displaced residents will be put up in hotels.
Copyright 2009 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
