WILLARD, Ohio (WJW) – An investigation is underway into what caused a nursing home fire in Willard Thursday night.

Crews were called to Blossom Healthcare on East Howard Street just before 6 p.m.

Willard Fire Chief Joe Reiderman said staff and first responders helped evacuate residents to the church across the street. Willard City Schools also assisted with the incident, the chief said.

William Robinson lives down the street.

“I walked down, saw the flames coming out, I went back and told my wife, she’s a nurse and my daughter. We walked down here,” he told FOX 8.

“The fire department asked for help, the community helped get patients across the street to the church…everybody jumped in.”

In a Facebook post, Willard City Schools announced that classes will be canceled on Friday. The district had previously announced schools would be on a two-hour delay on Friday.

“Thank you to the bus drivers for helping with the incident at the nursing home tonight,” an earlier post read.

The fire happened during severe storms in the area, but investigators have not determined the cause yet.

“It was lightning and thundering the whole time,” Robinson told FOX 8. “I didn’t hear any explosion or anything like that, but it was a lightning storm.”

The fire marshal is currently investigating.