Fire at Our Lady of the Lake

There is currently a fire burning in the main building at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. The fire was contained an hour and a half ago, but please keep those affected in your prayers.

WOAI TV reports:

Firefighters continue to battle a fire at Our Lady of the Lake University on the West Side.

The call came out just before 8 p.m. on the 400 block of SW 24th Street. Thirty-eight fire units have been dispatched to the scene.

The fire is believed to have started on the fourth floor of Main Building on the campus. The building was evacuated. Some people had to be treated for smoke inhalation. The flames appear to have consumed the roof of the building.

Firefighters have prevented the fire from spreading to other nearby buildings.

Students and staff gathered across the street from the school. Many were in tears as they watched the flames.

"This is definitely going to be a loss to the city of San Antonio," Chief Randy Jenkins.

A woman who was inside the building when the fire started told News 4 she did not smell any smoke prior to being evacuated. The student said they didn't think it was anything serious until they got outside and "saw the flames shoot up from nowhere."

The Red Cross has dispatched crews to help the firefighters. They are also sending a disaster relief team to the scene.

Firefighters went room-to-room to make sure everyone was evacuated. The San Antonio Fire Departrment said all of the students have been accounted for. accommodations are being made for the students who were displaced by the fire.

San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood said it was stubborn fire and that strong winds fueled the flames.

The university was founded in 1895 by the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence, a religious order begun in 18th century Lorraine, France. Construction on the main campus began in 1895 and classes started in 1896.
Our Lady of the Lake University was the first San Antonio institution of higher education to receive regional accreditation.

Photo credit: AP Photo/San Antonio Express-News, William Luther