GLEN CARBON, Ill. — A large, early-morning blaze engulfed and destroyed an apartment building under construction at the Meridian Apartments complex Tuesday, prompting a three-alarm response from area fire departments. Fire officials suspect a lightning strike may have caused the fire, which broke out during severe weather conditions in Madison County.

The fire occurred near Auerbach Place and Meridian Road, just off Route 157. Fire crews were dispatched just before 4 a.m. and arrived to find heavy smoke and flames tearing through the upper structure of the unoccupied building.

“Lightning was in the area at the time of the fire, and there are no utilities running to the building yet,” said Chief Jason Whitaker of the Glen Carbon Fire Protection District. With electricity ruled out, weather-related ignition is currently the primary theory.

The fire escalated rapidly and drew a response from ten fire departments, involving approximately 40 to 50 firefighters. Crews worked for hours as the fire roared through the wooden frame of the building, which was still in its construction phase. No injuries were reported.

Though the structure was part of the Meridian Apartments development, it had not yet been occupied, which likely prevented injury or loss of life. Officials emphasized that the damage was contained to a single building within the complex.

The intensity of the flames and the structure's vulnerability led to the decision to bring in heavy equipment for demolition. Firefighters and crews have been using machinery to tear down the remainder of the charred structure in an effort to eliminate hotspots and reduce risk of collapse or reignition, especially as forecasters predict more storms could pass through the area.

Even after sunrise, smoke could still be seen rising from the debris. "Firefighters have been working for hours to put out the fire," said Whitaker, "with smoke still rising from the building long after the initial call."

The Glen Carbon Fire Protection District, along with regional departments and investigators, are continuing to assess the damage and determine the official cause. The incident serves as a reminder of the fire risks faced by unfinished construction projects, especially during volatile weather.

Originally reported by Chris Regnier in Fox 2 Now.