Bay Harbor apartment building catches fire in Lee County

Iona McGregor Fire District responded to a structure fire at Bay Harbor Apartments in Lee County Saturday.

The scene was off McGregor Boulevard, and Iona crews, along with other agencies, are responding to the fire on the 9700 block of Bay Harbor Circle.

The fire department told us a lightning strike is being investigated as a possible cause for the fire. Firefighters, who had to work through a 20-foot-tall ceiling to try to get to the fire, said it could have been burning for hours before anyone noticed.

All neighbors have been evacuated from the apartment building that caught fire, and the fire has been contained to the attic. No other nearby apartments were affected, but some have water damage.

There were no reported injuries. But the American Red Cross is responding to the scene to provide assistance because it’s not certain neighbors will be able to return to their homes tonight.

In July 2018, the same complex dealt with a fire, and several people had to be treated for smoke inhalation

The cause remains under investigation.

Video below shows a fire at an apartment building in the Bay Harbor complex early in the response by local authorities.