Nearly 200 displaced after Wesley Chapel apartment fire; community rallies with donations

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — A security fence now stands where families once came home. In just two days, nearly 200 residents of the Cobalt Apartments have lost everything after a lightning strike sparked a massive fire that destroyed their homes, Pasco County Fire Rescue said.

State officials confirmed Friday that the building is condemned and likely to collapse soon, fire officials said. Residents' belongings remain inside — and they'll stay there. Authorities say the building is too dangerous to enter.

WATCH: Nearly 200 displaced after Wesley Chapel apartment fire; community rallies with donations

"They've essentially lost everything at this time," a Pasco County Fire Rescue official said during a Friday press conference.

What we know about the fire:

Confirmed details from Pasco County Fire Rescue:

• Cause: Lightning strike (confirmed via weather reports, Ring camera footage, and investigation with the Florida State Fire Marshal, according to fire officials)

• Location of strike: Approximately in the middle of one wing of the complex, officials said

• Timeline: Fire burned for approximately 25 minutes before anyone called 9-1-1, fire officials said

• Injuries: None — all residents evacuated safely, according to Pasco County Fire Rescue

• Pets: 6 animals (cats, dogs, birds) remain unaccounted for on the top floor, fire officials said

• Building status: Condemned by Pasco County building official; high probability of collapse, authorities confirmed

• Structural damage: Walls bulging, floors collapsed, building actively shifting, according to fire officials

• Fire alarms/sprinklers: Fire started above detection systems, making them ineffective; still under investigation, officials said

• Response time: Fire crews arrived with considerable resources within 7 minutes of dispatch, according to Pasco County Fire Rescue

• Number displaced: Initially estimated at 400; now confirmed closer to 200 people, fire officials said

• Re-entry: Not allowed — too dangerous for anyone, including fire rescue personnel, according to authorities

Community steps up

But in the wake of devastation, the community is rallying, according to local business owners.

"I'm reading comments on Facebook and social media where people are saying, 'I have no family, I have no friends, I have no clothes.' We walked out just with the clothes on our back, and that's devastating," said Judy Cornett, owner of Scrubs and Such Uniforms in Wesley Chapel.

Cornett told Tampa Bay 28 she turned her uniform shop into a donation hub overnight after seeing images of displaced families on social media.

"I created a little flyer, and I put it on a couple of sites, and the next morning, they're lining up. It was unbelievable the amount of people that came," Cornett said.

After just two days of collecting donations, her small business is facing a good problem, Cornett said: they're full. Boxes line the sides of her shop, stacked alongside racks of scrubs and clothing.

Students among those who lost everything

Among the displaced are college students who lost not just their homes, but the tools they need to continue their education, Cornett said.

"There were these four students that had an apartment, and they've lost their laptops, they've lost their uniforms," Cornett told Tampa Bay 28. "I wrote a message, and I said, 'Come to my store. I'll give you jackets. I'll give them their lab jackets.'"

Cornett said she's a small business and can't give away everything, but she's doing what she can.

"Whatever we as a small business can do to help them out, we're here to help them," Cornett said.

What victims need most

According to Cornett, the most urgent needs right now include:

• Paper plates, cups, and disposable utensils (many victims are in temporary housing, Cornett said)

• Underclothes (bras, underwear)

• Sanitary items for women

• Non-expired food items

Cornett emphasized that expired food donations are not helpful and asked community members to donate only current, usable items.

How to help

For fire victims: Donations are available at Scrubs and Such Uniforms in Wesley Chapel, according to Cornett. Victims can come by to pick up items. The Florida Department of Emergency Management is also coordinating relief efforts at the complex, fire officials said.

For donors: The shop is currently full but accepting certain items on a case-by-case basis, Cornett said. Call ahead before dropping off donations.

Multiple nonprofits and churches have also launched charitable campaigns to support displaced families, fire officials said.