Fire at Story Book Early Learning Centre. Photo courtesy Essex Fire and Rescue/Twitter.Fire at Story Book Early Learning Centre. Photo courtesy Essex Fire and Rescue/Twitter.
Windsor

Cause Of Essex Daycare Fire Remains Undetermined

Fire officials have wrapped up their investigation and the cause of this past weekend's fire at the Story Book Early Learning Centre in Essex is listed as undetermined.

Essex Fire Chief Rick Arnel says flames were coming from the roof by the time firefighters arrived Saturday night.

"It was an old church at one time, and everything collapsed in, so we had to have some heavy equipment in to help us put out the fire," says Arnel.

The weather did not cooperate. Arnel says it was -13 C (9 F) when they got there and soon dipped to -15 C (5 F). That created icy conditions for those fighting the blaze, but there were no injuries.

At the peak, 46 firefighters from Essex, Kingsville and Lakeshore were on the scene, but the building has been destroyed.

A release from Director Donna Hendrick says staff are working to find a new location for families with children enrolled at the daycare.

"We will send out a further update the moment we have a place and the date we will be able to open our doors," says the release.

Damage from the fire is estimated at around $750,000.

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