A fire broke out early Thursday at Chicago Academy High School on the Northwest Side, police said. The building was not occupied at the time of the incident, and authorities reported no injuries.
Officers and firefighters responded to a call regarding a fire on the third floor of the school located in the 3400 block of North Austin Avenue. The response occurred around 1:05 a.m., according to police.
The Chicago Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire, which was located on the school's third floor. Video from the scene showed smoke coming from inside the building and flames from a section of the roof.
The building was empty when the fire started, police confirmed. No staff or students were present, and no injuries were reported during the incident, CPD said.
Investigators with the CFD determined the fire started on the roof in an area where workers had been earlier in the day. The cause was ruled accidental, resulting from smoldering materials that later erupted into an open flame.
The fire primarily damaged the roof structure. CFD officials stated there were also minor issues on the top floor inside the building due to the fire.
Chicago Public Schools issued a message to students regarding the disruption. Students who arrived at Chicago Academy High School were directed to Thorp Scholastic Academy for the day.
Students were scheduled to spend the school day at the temporary location before returning to Chicago Academy High School for dismissal arrangements.
The Chicago Academy High School campus is located in the Portage Park neighborhood. A report detailed the fire breaks out at school in Portage Park.
Another news outlet stated Fire erupts at Chicago Academy High School on the Northwest Side overnight. A video report covered the fire breaks out at Chicago Academy High School as well.
