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Lightning Strike Causes Major Fire At Aurora City Building

UPDATED 07/28/11 1:13 p.m.

AURORA, Ill. (CBS) -- A lightning strike overnight caused a major fire at the Aurora city administration building.

Aurora city spokesman Dan Ferrelli says the fire broke out at the City of Aurora Parks and Recreation administration building at 901 Ray Moses Drive.

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The building, located on the grounds of Phillips Park on the southeast side of Aurora, sustained about $250,000 in structural damage, and another $50,000 damage to items inside, officials say.

The fire was discovered by a Phillips Park caretaker, who lives across the street from the building and saw smoke and flames coming from its roof just after a loud thunderclap, officials said.

Firefighters put out the blaze within an hour, there were no injuries, officials said.

While the building has been saved, it sustained severe smoke and water damage, officials said.

The building is used by the Aurora city parks superintendent, along with storage for an assortment of equipment, officials said. There is also a conference room on the second floor of the building.

Phillips Park is open as usual Thursday, officials said.

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