A lightning strike was the cause behind a fire at southwest Saskatchewan school early Friday morning.

In a Facebook post, the Village of Stewart Valley stated that between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., the village was hit by a number of extreme lightning strikes.

One of those strikes hit the school and community centre.

The Facebook post said “The loss of this complex is devastating for all who utilized it, and it is especially hard on the teachers and students who are preparing to start a new school year on September 1,”

The village went on to say.

“It is also a big loss for the Village and community who are not only faced with the question where will our children go to school during 22-23 but also thereafter.”

Multiple fire departments including the RM of Saskatchewan Landing, Swift Current Fire Department, and the RM of Swift Current Fire Department and firefighters from the village were on scene battling the flames.

(Photo courtesy of The Real Village of Stewart Valley/Facebook