Strong winds ripped part of the roof off a Dyer daycare Friday, sending staff and children across the street to a funeral home while firefighters checked the building and utilities for a possible gas leak. No injuries were reported, but the center was cleared out and emergency crews moved in to secure the structure and shut down affected services. Parents were notified, and officials said the kids stayed safe throughout the response.
According to firefighters, crews were called around 11:58 a.m. to Bright Beginners Academy at 1501 Joliet Street after gusts tore away a section of roofing and damaged a gas line feeding rooftop HVAC units, causing a leak, per FOX 32 Chicago. Staff quickly evacuated all children and employees to Smits Funeral Home across the street before firefighters arrived, and officials reported no injuries. The Dyer Fire Department provided the details to FOX 32 Chicago.
Winds Under Advisory
The damage came as the National Weather Service had much of Chicagoland and northwest Indiana under a wind advisory, warning of west winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 to 45 mph. The advisory noted that gusts could batter rooftop equipment and kick up street-level debris, making fast evacuations and prompt utility shutdowns more likely, according to the National Weather Service Chicago. Officials urged residents to tie down or bring in loose outdoor items and to report any downed lines or hazards to local authorities.
Aftermath And Next Steps
Firefighters isolated the gas leak, and utility crews were expected to inspect the rooftop equipment before the building could reopen, FOX 32 Chicago reported. The daycare operator and town officials had not yet set a timetable for reopening, and parents were asked to watch for updates from Bright Beginners Academy and the Dyer Fire Department. Investigators will review the extent of the structural and HVAC damage to determine what repairs are needed and what safety measures come next.
