Click to watch raw video | Amy Tortolani's 11 News at 6 report

A lightning strike is being blamed for a two alarm fire at a north Houston apartment complex on W. Gulfbank and Antoine.

KHOU - TV

Lightning blamed for 2 alarm apt. blaze

It happened just before 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Timbers of Inwood Forest.

Witnesses who called 11 News said they saw lightning hit the complex just before it broke out in flames.

"I just got out of my car, walking towards my door and there was a loud bang. I thought it hit the tree behind my apartment, but it didn't. It hit the roof," said one resident.

Firefighters said the blaze spread quickly.

Police officers were also on the scene, going door to door telling residents to evacuate.

Many fled with only the clothes on their backs.

"Everything I own is in that apartment. I mean everything. See, I don't have my pants on. I don't even have no clothes," said Doris Clay.

Once the fire was contained there were some very happy reunions. 

“I was walking that way, fixing to go upstairs and when I heard the lightning said, ‘baam.’  And I said, ‘oh, that struck something.’  And I went in my house and pulled my clothes out,” said Linda Jones, apartment resident.

Emotions ran high as many realized they left their pets behind.

"I grabbed my stuff and as I was getting my animals, they told me to leave. I left them there in the living room," said Vanessa Hall.

Hall was later reunited with her cat named Angel. It was found in a closet.

At 5 p.m. firefighters were still on the scene looking for hot spots.

Preliminary reports indicate that 15 units in one building were damaged.

City crews were expected to come in before nightfall with heavy machinery to knock down what is left of the damaged building.