Iuka Fire Chief Kenny Eagan believes the Iuka Grade School was struck by lightning during a heavy thunderstorm that settled over Iuka Saturday morning dumping up to five inches of rain in places.
The fire department was called to the school when a fire alarm sounded. After finding smoke in the building and not realizing the extent of the problem, Salem, Odin, Kinmundy-Alma, Kell, and Orchardville Firemen were brought in for mutual aide.
The problem was traced to an air conditioning unit and blower fan that both had breakers thrown and would not reset indicating damage most likely from a lightning hit.
Thermal cameras were used to check for hot spots in the building and none were found.
