Marian Central Closed Due To Building Damage From Lightning

WOODSTOCK, IL — Officials at Marian Central High School said the school will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 11 after classes and evening events scheduled for Tuesday were canceled due to building damage caused by a lightning strike Monday afternoon. The Lake and McHenry County Scanner reported the Woodstock Fire Rescue District responded to the school around 4:30 p.m., located at 1001 McHenry Avenue, and Woodstock Fire Rescue Lt. Zach Beatty said the school's chimney broke apart after it was struck, damaging gas lines and the school's roof.

Student athletes who were at the school for practice at the time of the incident were evacuated, in addition to the entire building, the news report said. No injuries were reported.

In a Tuesday statement on Marian Central's website, school officials wrote that they were expecting a crane to arrive Tuesday afternoon to remove large debris in order for it to be safe for the crew work on the roof, piping, and chimney.

In the statement, school officials added:

"The workers' tireless efforts are to be commended as we continue to ensure everyone's safety. We realize that this has to be addressed one day at a time... so unfortunately we need to keep the school closed again for Wednesday, September 11, 2019. As promised, we will continue to update you with information as we receive it and when we are certain that it is safe for our staff and students, we will reopen the school. Our hope is that we can resume school by Thursday or Friday, but this is dependent on all things working as planned."

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Patch will continue updating this story as more information becomes available.