Lightning Strike Causes DeKalb Apartment Fire

CLARKSTON, GA -- Lightning from overnight thunderstorms caused an apartment fire that forced 17 people from their homes early Tuesday in Clarkston.

WSB-TV is reporting that the fast-spreading blaze happened at Avalon on Montreal apartment building and impacted four families, including children.

Resident Sadia Hassan told WSB she noticed flames coming from her brother’s room, so she ran out and went downstairs to check on her parents. She said her mother started screaming for everyone to get out.

“My mother started banging on doors trying to get everyone out because there are a lot of kids who live in this building,” Hassan said.

DeKalb County fire officials say lightning struck a tree, then jumped to the building’s roof, setting two apartments on fire.

They say two apartments were destroyed in the fire and two others sustained water damage. There were no injuries reported among the four families living there.

Read the full WSB-TV report here.