The above scene greeted first responders to Devonshire on early Sunday morning.

The blaze at Devonshire Apartments in Scott Depot on early Sunday morning, July 9, was a perfect never-should-happen event that happened.

Investigators from the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office believe a lightning strike hit the building, knocked out the fire alarm system, and started a fire in an attic area distant from any smoke detectors. Residents were not aware of the blaze…