Lightning strike causes fire

A lightning strike is believed to have caused a fire at the Bentwater Apartments in Three Rivers Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters arrived shortly before 2 p.m. to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof of building 228. After Three Rivers police conducted an evacuation of the building, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze.

Flames were contained to a second-floor attic. Officials said the presence of a firewall helped prevent the fire from spreading.

Sixteen families were affected, as they were unable to return to their units for the night. A re-occupancy plan was to be determined following a building inspection Thursday.

One firefighter sustained minor injuries when a portion of a ceiling collapsed on him.