Family displaced by hurricane Maria loses everything in apartment fire

RIVERVIEW (FOX 13) - A family of seven that relocated to Riverview after Hurricane Maria devastated their home in Puerto Rico was one of the dozens that lost everything they own to a fire Wednesday night. 

Three generations - three children, their parents, grandmother, and 90-year-old great grandfather - were able to stay with neighbors last night, but they now have to rebuild their entire lives for the second time in a year.

A member of the family told FOX 13's Kellie Cowan they are searching for an inexpensive hotel, but the keys to their van are somewhere in the rubble left by the fire. They're not sure the keys will ever be recovered.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue says lightning was likely the cause of the massive fire at Allegro Palm Apartments.

Officials say two buildings are a total loss. About 100 people have been displaced by the fire. 

Many organizations have come to help the families. The Red Cross and Metro Ministries were two already helping the victims.

Thankfully no people were injured, but a crews were unable to save a few families' pets.

The fire destroyed two buildings containing 24 apartments. It started on the top floor after a resident reported hearing a loud bang.

It took 60 firefighters a few hours to get the fire under control.