Early this morning, Gardner, Massachusetts, became the site of an urgent response after a two-alarm fire erupted at the 123 Grow Child Center, located at 838 West Broadway. Firefighters were met with heavy flames and dense smoke billowing from the daycare’s rear, forcing them back as they initially attempted an interior attack on the blaze that had taken over the attic area of the structure, Gardner Fire Department Chief Gregory Lagoy told the station. Additionally, a portion of the building’s roof collapsed during the firefighting efforts as crews contended with lightweight truss construction that was quickly compromised by the fire, as reported by WCVB.
As the neighborhood awoke to the crisis, one local resident, Dave Kymalanien, whose sleep was disrupted by the acrid smell of smoke, told WCVB reporters he felt regret for the staff and families affected by the destruction of the fairly new facility, noting that it served around 60 children. Thankfully, the building was empty at the time of the fire, and an employee said the center had been partially closed the previous day due to a heating issue that was later fixed.
According to an NBC Boston article, the Gardner Fire Department confirmed that no injuries were reported. Additionally, the state fire marshal’s office has enlisted state police fire investigators to assist local authorities in determining the cause of the fire, which remains under investigation.
A photograph showing intense orange flames engulfing the daycare’s roof was shared on Facebook by the fire department, as per NBC Boston, capturing the severity of the fire that jolted the community early in the day. Shocking video from the scene was also shared by Ashburnham Fire Department Local 4995, showing the ferocity of the blaze as emergency crews rushed to contain it, as mentioned by Boston 25 News.
