The facility will be closed indefinitely, but the estimated 100 children who attend the center were welcomed this morning, Aug. 5, at another Childtime on Tylersville Road, according to spokeswoman Amy Popp, Childtime Learning Centers.
“I am happy to say that approximately 90 percent of our students are using our other Childtime location today. The fire department was able to gather some of our files yesterday and our staff did a great job reaching out to all of our families to make them aware of the situation,” she said. “We also had a teacher on-site at the school this morning to direct any parents who did not come to our Western Row Road location.”
Four fire departments responded to the center and found flames and thick black smoke shooting out of the roof. The fire began in the kitchen of the facility and spread through the attic, making it difficult for firefighters to fight, said Bryant.
All of the kids got out safely, but a female staff member was transported to West Chester Medical Center for treatment after suffering smoke inhalation, Bryant said. Popp said she is doing fine and was released from the hospital last night.
A firefighter was also taken to Bethesda Medical Center at Arrow Springs after some debris hit him on the head. Bryant said he was treated and released.
Popp said parents will be kept abreast of developments at the charred center.
“Our teachers are going above and beyond to ensure the children are comfortable in their new environment,” she said. “We are committed to keeping our families updated on the status of our school as the information comes in to us.”
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