photo by: Dylan Lysen

Firefighters respond to a reported fire at an apartment building north of Dillons at Sixth Street and Lawrence Avenue, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018.

Story last updated: 2:03 p.m., Aug. 24

Lawrence firefighters responded to a fire at an apartment complex north of Sixth Street along Lawrence Avenue shortly before noon Thursday.

Fire crews were called to the 500 block of Lawrence Avenue around 11:30 a.m. following a report of smoke at one of the apartment buildings.

Division Chief and Fire Marshal James King of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical said the fire began because of a lightning strike to the roof of an apartment building. The apartments are located just north of the Dillons grocery store and gas station at Lawrence Avenue.

King said the building, which was partially occupied by residents, was evacuated. Fire crews contained the blaze to the roof, but some apartment units suffered water damage.

Crews worked on the fire for about 20 minutes, putting it out around 12:05 p.m.

King said there were no injuries to residents or fire crews. He said a cost estimate for the damage will not be available until early next week, and he could not say how many residents were displaced by the fire.

532 Lawrence Ave, Lawrence, KS 66049