RICHMOND, Va. — School is canceled Tuesday at Cardinal Elementary School after a Monday evening lightning strike sparked a fire at the South Richmond school.
“A lightning strike caused a small fire on roof,” Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras posted on social media Monday. “Richmond Fire responded very quickly and contained it. NO injuries. Classes will be cancelled tomorrow due to significant water damage on 2nd floor. I’ll have a fuller update tomorrow. Many thanks to RFD!”
Richmond Police said the emergency crews were called to the 1700 block of Catalina Drive at about 6:54 p.m. for a two-alarm fire at Cardinal Elementary School.
“Richmond Fire Department responded to the fire with 15 units and 68 personnel. The fire has been contained and no injuries have been reported,” a Richmond Police spokesperson wrote in an email. “The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Richmond Fire Investigations Unit, and the extent of the building’s damage is still unknown.”