Lightning Strike Causes Fire Alarms, Smoke, and Electrocution at Red Point Apartments
Source: Gainesville Police and Alachua Fire
Redpoint Apartments, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
Summary: A lightning strike near the Red Point Apartments at 1337 Southwest 51st Boulevard in Gainesville, Florida, resulted in multiple emergency calls reporting smoke, burning smells, and fire alarms going off. Several residents reported being shocked or possibly electrocuted, with at least one person injured while plugging in a phone during the incident. Law enforcement and fire crews responded to both the lightning incident and a vehicle in a ditch nearby. Smoke was observed in several apartments, and responders investigated possible fire and electrical hazards. The situation was brought under control with no major fire found, but the event posed significant risk due to electrical injury and potential fire.