Lightning sparks fire at building in Aurora’s Phillips Park

The Aurora Parks and Recreation building in Phillips Park sustained about $250,000 in damage after an overnight lightning strike apparently sparked a fire.

Contents of the building, 901 Ray Moses Drive, suffered about $50,000 in damage, according to Aurora Fire Department estimates.

A Phillips Park caretaker who lives across the street from the building noticed smoke and flames coming from its roof about 12:20 a.m. Thursday after hearing a loud boom during the storms.

According to the Aurora Fire Department, the blaze was extinguished within about an hour. No one was injured and the building was unoccupied.

A preliminary investigation indicates lightning hit the roof of the building and caused the fire. Despite the heavy smoke and water damage throughout the building, it appears salvageable, authorities said.

The building houses the office of Aurora’s parks superintendent, storage space and a conference room. Phillips Park was not affected by the fire and was open for normal use Thursday, authorities said.