Two-alarm fire heavily damages townhomes in Olathe

A two-alarm fire heavily damaged a two-story, 16-unit townhome building in Olathe’s Avignon Apartment Homes complex Sunday evening.

The fire was reported shortly before 4:30 p.m. in the complex near 119th and Greenwood streets. Storms moved through the area at the time of the fire, said Capt. Mike Hall, a spokesman for the Olathe Fire Department.

“When we got here, there was a lot of black smoke rolling and flames were visible,” Hall said. “The entire structure was evacuated.”

Firefighters from Olathe, Lenexa and Overland Park fought the blaze, which was brought under control about 7 p.m. Crews, however, remained at the scene putting out hot spots.

The fire was out by about 8:45 p.m., officials said.

The fire displaced about 25 people. The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City was assisting those displaced by the fire. No one was injured in the blaze.

Investigators determined that multiple lightning strikes caused the blaze.

This story was originally published June 26, 2016 at 8:27 PM with the headline "Two-alarm fire heavily damages townhomes in Olathe."