Fire hits OLLU campus (Our Lady of The Lake University in San Antonio)

[Gman]

Firefighters are at the scene of what has escalated into a four-alarm blaze at historic Our Lady of the Lake University. More than 30 units are fighting the blaze.

Flames can be seen shooting out of the roof of the original part of the building called Moye Hall, which also houses dormitories. Evacuations have taken place throughout the building at 411 S.W. 24th St.
More coverage
KENS video: Watch the broadcast

Our Lady of the Lake University was founded by the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence in 1895, according to the university’s Web site.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA050608.ollufire.en.d5ff9af2.html

-----------------------------------------------

This story does not do this justice. This is a 4 alarm fire. Every local TV station in town has this on. The main building is fully engulfed. They have been fighting this fire for over 2 hours now.

This is the part of the campus that's in full bloom:



http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/happens/2008/05/fire_at_our_lady_of_the_lake_u.html

This building was built in 1895.

But the main chapel so far has not been touched:



This is one of the most beautiful campuses you would have ever seen.

[Gman]

1. Here's a pic of the main building on fire

[pop goes the weasel]

2. dreadful!

My sympathies to San Antonio. I had the pleasure of attending a few community events at OLL back when it was still calling itself just a college. Knowing that those lovely buildings are destroyed is so sad.

[sonias]

3. Oh that's terrible

I checked the S.A. Express for news this morning. Lots of video posted on their site.

A fund has been set up by Frost Bank for community donations. Contributors should direct their donations to the OLLU Rebuilding Fund at the bank.

OLLU community faces fire damages

I hope they can rebuild and it stay very close to the original beauty.

Sonia

[WolverineDG]

4. I saw that in my morning paper &

cried. OLLU is a very beautiful campus. I hope they can restore the buildings. :cry:

dg

[ceile]

5. Watched it on the news last night.

Very sad. :cry:

[Melissa G]

6. Wow! so sad. That is one of the structures of my childhood.

My grandmother's house was not far from there. I passed by it often growing up. SA was home for me. :cry:

[Gman]

7. I grew up 4 blocks from there too

rode my bike by every day in the summer on the way to baseball practice. Would sometimes just go ride bikes around there to do it. It is such a peaceful place.

[sonias]

8. Damage from university fire estimated at $14 million

AAS 5/13/08
Damage from university fire estimated at $14 million

SAN ANTONIO — A fire that displaced 100 students at Our Lady of the Lake University and spread through the historic main building on campus caused $14 million in damage, authorities said Tuesday.

The private Catholic school canceled classes after the May 6 fire that investigators believe was caused by an electrical short in the attic of the century-old main building.

Sonia