A late night lightning strike turned into a full blown emergency on San Antonio's Northwest Side, igniting an apartment fire that forced residents out into the storm but left everyone safely accounted for. Fire crews rushed to the complex in the 1500 block of West Sunshine Drive, near Bandera Road, just before 10:30 p.m. Thursday and worked through heavy rain that soaked the building and complicated the firefight.
Damage and response
The San Antonio Fire Department reported that between eight and 12 apartment units were affected, with flames tearing through the roof and sending water into several units below. Multiple residents were displaced and are being connected with the American Red Cross for temporary housing. Investigators on scene are treating a lightning strike as the likely cause, according to KSAT.
Storms and lightning risk
The fire unfolded as storms swept across South Central Texas, prompting a Flood Watch and scattered thunderstorms that raised the risk of cloud to ground lightning. The National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio had warned that heavy downpours and frequent lightning were expected across parts of the region on Friday.
Help for displaced residents
City and fire officials said crews are helping displaced residents with immediate needs, including connecting them to emergency housing options. People looking for shelter information can use the American Red Cross shelter finder to check for available locations and services. The organization maintains a searchable page of open shelters and disaster relief resources for families needing temporary housing and basic supplies, per the American Red Cross.
Investigation ongoing
Fire investigators are continuing to comb through the damaged structure, assessing both structural and electrical systems as they work to confirm exactly what happened. SAFD said the investigation remains active and that additional information will be released when it becomes available, according to KSAT.
