Marion County Fire Rescue was dispatched at 5:05 p.m. Thursday to a high life hazard fire alarm at the Hampton Manor Assisted Living Facility located in Belleview.
As a result of the blaze, 56 residents were transported to another Hampton Manor Facility located in Ocala. There were no injuries.
The cause of the fire is believed to be a lightning strike.
Engine Company #18 arrived on scene at 5:11 p.m. to find smoke coming from the south wing of the facility. Firefighters made entry into the kitchen area and found the fire to have spread into the attic space.
Truck Company #17 from MCFR Silver Springs Shores station performed vertical ventilation of the roof, clearing the heavy smoke conditions for firefighters inside. Firefighters completed both a primary and secondary search of all rooms.
The fire was called under control at 5:29 p.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the MCFR Fire Marshal.