A fire tore through a four-story building at the Cobalt Apartments on Thursday, destroying the structure and displacing an estimated 200 Wesley Chapel residents overnight.

Pasco County Fire Rescue crews responded to the 3900 block of Jermyn Loop, off Wesley Chapel Boulevard, around 3 p.m. Thursday after receiving reports of a structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find the roof heavily engulfed in flames along the entire length of the wood-frame building, according to WFLA.

Fire Rescue elevated the response to a three-alarm fire, with assistance from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and Tampa Fire Rescue.

Fire Chief Ryan Guynn described the structural damage as severe, telling reporters Thursday evening that the heavy fire load caused multiple floors to collapse on themselves, with damage reaching portions of the first floor. He called the building a total loss.

"We've had multiple collapses where the floors have pancaked in on themselves," Guynn said. "It's making the operations extremely difficult."

The four-story building's height complicated the response. Guynn said adding water weight to the wood-frame structure increased the risk of further collapse. Crews contained the fire to the single structure, making a defensive stop to prevent flames from spreading to a neighboring building.

No resident injuries or fatalities were reported. Officials initially reported that about 400 residents were affected, but later revised the displacement estimate to about 200 people.

Sheriff's office points to lightning strike as likely cause

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said on X that the fire is believed to have started following a lightning strike and "does not appear to be criminal in nature." Guynn said a lightning strike was possible but that Fire Rescue had not begun its formal investigation as of Thursday evening.

Residents described heavy thunderstorms moving through the area at the time. Christian Rodriguez, a fourth-floor resident who had lived in the building for about a year, told Bay News 9 he heard a loud bang and felt the ground shake before eventually hearing people in the hallway shouting that the roof was on fire.

Cynthia Mendoza, another resident, described dark clouds and a loud lightning strike just before the blaze started. She told ABC Action News there is likely nothing left in her apartment.

Crews go door to door, rescue dozens of pets

Firefighters went door to door to ensure all residents had evacuated before shifting their focus to rescuing animals. Dozens of dogs and cats were pulled from the building, and a pet reunification center was set up at the complex's front clubhouse. Guynn said it is possible some pets did not survive.

Residents describe losing everything, uncertain what's next

Rodriguez said he left his apartment carrying only the items he normally has on him and believes he lost everything. His employer, Sprouts Farmers Market, is helping him find a place to stay for a few days, but he does not know what comes next.

Daniel Trask, who lives in the building next door, told reporters the displaced residents face months of recovery ahead.

The American Red Cross was on scene helping displaced residents. Fire Rescue contacted both Pasco County and Hillsborough County Emergency Management for assistance. The Fasano Shelter at 11611 Denton Ave. in Hudson was opened for those who needed immediate housing.

Crews to monitor hot spots overnight

By 10:45 p.m. Thursday, Pasco County Fire Rescue reported crews were still extinguishing hot spots and would monitor the area overnight.