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Mar 25, 2008 10:51 am US/Eastern
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Frightening Fire At East Oak Lane Daycare
25 Children Safely Evacuated
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Over two dozen children and four adults were safely evacuated after a fire broke out inside a North Philadelphia daycare center Monday afternoon.
The fire broke out inside the Little Kingdom Daycare Center in the 6800 block of Old York Road in East Oak Lane at about 2:30 p.m.
According to police, 25 children and four adults were safely evacuated from the building.
As part of the daycare's fire emergency plan, staff members escorted the children to a funeral home across the street.
"The important thing here is because of their fire drills, because of their alarm system, because of their awareness, they were able to self-evacuate, get out OK, we have no injuries with civilians, no injuries reported among firefighters at this time," Lt. Michael Grant said.
Concerned parents rushed to the scene to make sure their child were safe.
"I was nervous, I am still nervous, I am just happy that he is OK," parent Ashley Anderson said.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Officials said the building was severely damaged in the blaze and will likely be condemned and eventually destroyed.
While the official cause of the fire remains under investigation, fire officials said a repair worker was using a blow torch on the third floor fire escape prior to the incident.
The owner of the daycare told CBS 3 she was developing contingency plans to accommodate the displaced children and parents.
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