A fire on Thursday at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum has prompted its temporary closure. The incident occurred around noon and was rapidly extinguished, resulting in no injuries. According to FOX 17, the fire began inside the building and was efficiently managed by the museum staff and the Grand Rapids Fire Department. The museum’s sprinkler system played a significant role in controlling the fire.
Details provided by WOODTV revealed that the fire sparked in a prop, specifically a model chimney, and appears to be electrical in nature. The blaze escalated slightly, climbing the wall before it was put out. Grand Rapids Fire Department Battalion Chief Rich Clark praised the museum staff for their prompt reaction to the situation, "I want to give props to the staff here. They got all the kids out by the time we got here, they did a great job." As per MLive, visitors and staff were safely evacuated and later visitors were offered passes to return another day.
Although the fire damage was minimal, the museum sustained smoke, and water damage, leading to a brief closure for cleanup and recovery. The duration of the museum's closure remains unconfirmed as officials assess the extent of the damage and necessary repairs. John Grace Restoration has been enlisted to assist in the cleanup efforts.
In a statement obtained by FOX 17, the museum expressed gratitude for the support during this unexpected event and noted, “Our sprinklers did their job (maybe a little too well!), so we have some cleanup ahead. That means the museum will be closed for a little while.” The institution has promised updates through its Facebook page as they navigate the aftermath of the fire and work towards reopening.
