Lightning strike causes Hilton Head apartment fire during Sunday thunderstorm
A lightning strike sparked a small fire in a Hilton Head apartment complex during a brief severe thunderstorm that rolled across the island Sunday afternoon.
At 4:02 p.m., first responders with Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue arrived at Marsh Point Drive and found a fire burning from the roof of a multifamily building.
The fire was brought under control at 4:17 p.m. and declared out at 4:32 p.m, officials said in a statement. Residents were not home at the time of the fire, which was confined to the attic of a second-floor unit. No injuries were reported, officials said.
Eight units responded, including four engines, two medics, the truck company and battalion chief. Officials said a lightning strike caused the fire.
One first-floor unit sustained minor water damage from fire rescue operations, officials said.
Marsh Point Drive is home to Hilton Head’s Marsh Point apartment complex, located behind the post office. The complex features 140 dwelling units with a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, according to real estate listings.
The fire occurred during a severe thunderstorm that rolled through Hilton Head Island Sunday afternoon.
The National Weather Service in Charleston issued a severe thunderstorm alert for Hilton Head and surrounding areas around 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
By 3:50 p.m. an ominous storm cloud was visible from the beach, and by 4 p.m., heavy rains and lightning strikes were hammering the island, pushing beachgoers to seek refuge indoors.
The warning expired at 4:30 p.m. The storm eased up into a gentle sprinkle before clearing around 5 p.m.
