Resident credited with saving neighbors after lightning-caused fire at Birchwood Harbor; city helps displaced families

A lightning strike about midnight at Birchwood Harbor Apartments triggered a fire that burned one unit beyond repair and displaced roughly 21 residents from six units, city officials said at the Hot Springs Board of Directors meeting. Christian Wallace, a Birchwood Harbor resident, is credited with waking neighbors and helping them evacuate.

City Director George Webb said the lightning struck ‘‘at about midnight last Tuesday, causing one entire apartment unit to be burned beyond repair’’ and that ‘‘about 21 residents who live in those six units’’ were displaced. Webb said the Community Resource Center, working with landowners and the city manager’s office, arranged temporary housing options for displaced residents.

Why it matters: Dozens of residents lost…