Lightning Strikes, Starts Fire At Choate In Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — The roof of a building at Choate Rosemary Hall was struck by lightning, causing a fire Monday night in Wallingford. School officials say Summer Program students received a shelter-in-place at about 6:20 p.m. as a severe band of thunderstorms with lightning strikes moved quickly into the area.

“The roof of Hill House was struck by lightning,” school officials wrote in a post on Facebook. “All of our students are safe. Students residing in Hill House, and the adjoining Library, Hall, and West Wing buildings were evacuated to the Worthington Johnson Athletic Center. The Wallingford Police and Fire Departments are on the scene.”

Officials say they will provide alternate housing for students in the affected dormitories on Monday night.