More than 30 kids evacuated after daycare catches fire in Alexander County

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — More than 30 kids had to be evacuated after their daycare caught fire Tuesday afternoon in Alexander County.

The flames broke out around 1 p.m. at the Small Hands Daycare along Stony Point School Road near Taylorsville Highway.

Channel 9′s Damany Lewis spoke with the owner’s husband, who said the fire may have started after a cigarette was tossed into some mulch nearby.

As soon as the owner saw the smoke from the fire, she said she ushered 39 children and nine staff members that were inside to the backyard. The daycare held a fire drill last week so the kids were well prepared on what to do.

No one was hurt in Tuesday’s fire.

Small Hands Daycare fire Staff and children of Small Hands Daycare gather in the grass behind the building after evacuating.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the daycare and could see the children standing outside as fire crews worked to put out the flames.

The daycare was badly burned, with the majority of the damage seen toward the front of the building. The fire caused about $30,000 in damage, officials said.

Channel 9 spoke with a woman who was picking up her granddaughter after the fire. After seeing the damage to the building, she said it was a miracle no one was hurt.

“I think there was 30-something kids in there and they got them all out,” said Arnetta Russell as she held her grandchild. “That can be replaced, this can’t.”

It’s unclear what will happen next to the business, but the owners said the daycare has been in operation for 25 years.