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Approximately 75 firefighters from multiple agencies were called late on Monday night to a condominium complex in the 1300 block of Sheridan Place in Bel Air, prompting a mass exodus of residents who flooded out of the building, officials said.
Officials say that lightning from the recent storms hit the building, sparking a fire that rapidly spread through the condo. Upon arrival, first responders found smoke burning through the roof with smoke billowing through the air.
The heat and flames caused the roof to collapse, leading to further collapses on other floors inside the building, which is reportedly considered a complete loss.
According to investigators, residents reported hearing lightning strike the building and smelled smoke minutes later. They were then able to notify each other and everyone escaped safely once a fire alarm was alerted.
One person suffered minor injuries, initially declined medical attention, though later drove to an area hospital for evaluation. A total of 26 residents were displaced and are being assisted to find temporary housing by the American Red Cross and Harford County Disaster Assistance.
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