A lightning strike caused a three-alarm fire that destroyed a building at Cobalt Apartments on Thursday, Aug. 20, and displaced about 200 residents. The building has been condemned because it has a high probability of collapse, Pasco County Fire Rescue Chief Ryan Guynn said at an Aug. 21 news conference.

As we reported Friday, the blaze in the 3900 block of Jermyn Loop off Wesley Chapel Boulevard displaced hundreds of residents. Investigators later revised the displacement count to approximately 200, down from an initial estimate of 400.

Perhaps the most striking detail to emerge: The fire burned for roughly 25 minutes before anyone called 911. Guynn said the fire began above most of the building's detection systems, allowing it to spread undetected.

"That's a significant head start for a fire of this size, for any fire, in all honesty. We were behind the ball from the start," Guynn said at the news conference.

Once alerted, fire crews reached the scene within seven minutes, according to WTSP. Pasco County Fire Rescue worked alongside Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and Tampa Fire Rescue. No residents or firefighters were injured.

Chief: Building's bulging walls, collapsed floors pose collapse risk

Guynn said the four-story wood-frame building has bulging walls and collapsed floors. He expects it to collapse "sometime in the near future." A security perimeter has been established around the structure, and officials said it poses no danger to neighboring properties.

Residents cannot re-enter to retrieve belongings. What happens next, including potential demolition, is up to the property owner.

Investigators used weather reports, Ring doorbell camera footage and the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office to confirm lightning as the cause. The fire broke out shortly after 3 p.m. and burned above most of the building's detection systems, Guynn said.

Six animals, including cats, dogs and birds, remained unaccounted for on the top floor as of Aug. 21. Fire personnel said they will not re-enter the condemned building to search for them.

Donations, document replacement help available for displaced residents

By Saturday, Aug. 22, donations were flowing to the Cobalt Apartments leasing office at 4338 Cobalt Brook Blvd. Accepted items include clothing, toiletries, pet supplies, food, water, gift cards and blankets.

The American Red Cross and Pasco County Emergency Management are assisting displaced residents with immediate needs and helping them replace lost documents, such as driver's licenses.

Residents needing assistance can contact the Red Cross or visit the Cobalt Apartments leasing office at 4338 Cobalt Brook Blvd.