Lightning sparks fire at Willows Academy in Des Plaines

A lightning strike sparked a small fire late Tuesday night at Willows Academy in Des Plaines.

No one was hurt in the blaze at the all-girls school, 1015 Rose Ave. It wasn’t occupied at the time.

The fire was reported by a passerby about 11 p.m. Firefighters arrived to find flames on the roof over the gymnasium, on the north side of the building, Chief Matt Matzl said.

Using a ladder truck and a single hose, firefighters got the blaze under control by 11:25 p.m.

The lightning created a small hole in the roof, which allowed water from the hose and the still-raging rainstorm to leak in, Matzl said.

Despite the fire, classes at Willows Academy were held Wednesday. The gym was off-limits, however.

Damage to the building and contents was estimated at $200,000, Matzl said.

Willows Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory school serving sixth- through 12th-graders.