A lightning strike sparked a fire that ripped through a roof at an apartment complex near Clemson University. Lightning hit the attic of the Clemson Place Apartments around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Most of the tenants are university students. Ashley Simmons, who lives downstairs in the building, was at work at the time of the strike. The students who live upstairs are away for the summer.

Simmons came home to find her roof in shambles and many of her belongings were drenched.

"It blows my mind how that stuff can happen," said Simmons.

Simmons' parents live nearby. They, along with friends living in the area, came to help her move out.

Clemson firefighters said lightning strikes are common in the area this time of year.