Tree falls on St. Pete house

ST. PETERSBURG - A large oak tree fell on to a house Saturday morning, forcing 8 tenants to be relocated.

St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue crews say the 2-story apartment home on the 700 block of Jackson St. North sustained major damage from the falling tree and was deemed "structurally unsafe for human habitation."

Firefighters immediately went inside to rescue any possible trapped victims but say none were found.

The owner of the house said the tree was struck by lightning last week and he had had the damaged limbs cut off.

Fire Inspector Rob Henderson said this could have caused the tree to become unbalanced, forcing it to shift and ultimately falling on to the home.

Officials had Progress Energy disconnect the power to the house. City building officials were called in to examine the structure and declared it a total loss.

The Red Cross is providing assistance to the tenants.