JEFFERSON TWP — A fire started in the upper floor of the Nativity of the Theotokos monastery after it was struck by lightning during a severe thunderstorm Thursday afternoon.

The fire was in the main building on the property, which is both a church and the housing for the 14 nuns who live there, said Mother Thephamo, mother superior for the monastery.

Firefighters were able to put out the burning with minimal water and fire damage was contained to one room and a hallway.

Water, smoke and fire damage to the building, which is fully insured, was estimated at $50,000 to $80,000, Saxonburg Fire Chief Chris Ballina said.

The lightning struck the building’s roof above the kitchen, which caused a heating and cooling unit to start smoking and burning, Ballina said.