On Sunday evening, a lightning strike turned a routine Florida storm into a frightening ordeal at the Buena Vista Place apartments off Reams Road near Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The bolt sparked a fire that forced people out of multiple units and left at least two individuals recovering, as smoke and flames rose from the complex while Orange County Fire Rescue crews worked to get the situation under control. Several apartments took on roof and water damage, and some residents were kept out while emergency repairs began.
According to WFTV, Orange County Fire Rescue reported that lightning hit the building’s roof, damaging the structure and triggering an immediate evacuation. Firefighters stayed on scene late into the night to chase down hot spots and make sure neighboring units were safe.
Battalion Chief Robert Izzo said crews were working to restore power and water to apartments that were not heavily damaged and that two people were in recovery after the incident, while the Florida State Fire Marshal was called in to investigate the cause. A person who tried to rescue an animal received a minor injury, and at least one firefighter was checked for heat exhaustion in the middle of the intense response, according to WESH.
Scene and response
Witnesses described a large emergency response clustered at the complex entrance as crews moved in to contain the fire and limit the damage. A reporter on scene counted eight fire trucks and three ambulances, while a Walt Disney World active-calls feed flagged the incident near cast parking, as reported by WDW News Today.
Lightning risk in Florida
Lightning is a frequent part of Florida’s summer weather and can quickly ignite roofs and attics or leave slow-burning hot spots that flare up later. The National Weather Service urges people to head indoors as soon as they hear thunder and notes that lightning-sparked fires can smolder before becoming visible, which can lead to more involved investigations after storms. Safety tips and guidance are available from the National Weather Service.
County officials asked residents to keep an eye on updates from Orange County Fire Rescue and property management as inspections and repairs continue. This story will be updated as investigators release additional details.
