Firefighters from Tulsa and Broken Arrow were called to fight a fire at the Union 8th Grade Center near 65th and Garnett in Broken Arrow.
Firefighters tell KRMG that the fire started around midnight and was likely caused by a lightning strike.
Crews had trouble fighting the fire since continued lightning kept them from deploying their ladder trucks.
Most of the fire damage was contained to the roof on the west side of the school. The school's main hallway did suffer significant water damage.
Firefighters were forced to spray water on the fire from the ground instead of from the air.
“Fortunately, the damage appears to be contained to the large hallway just off the main entrance,” says Union Superintendent Dr. Kirt Hartzler. “In the initial walk through, the structure seems to sound; however, we will not know the full extent of the damage to the building and equipment until we complete a thorough evaluation.”
Union officials tell KRMG that school is out for the summer, and no one was in the building when the fire began.
Restoration is expected to be completed in time for the first day of classes August 19.