SYRACUSE – Extensive preparation by day care providers proved to be a big help to the firefighters and in minimizing damage during a fire this morning at Lakeland Learning Center, 1205 N. Long Drive, Syracuse.
Turkey Creek Township Fire Department Fire Chief Mickey Scott said his department had worked a lot with the child care center in case of such a fire. The business and fire department had previously practiced using two fire exits and used that knowledge today when a fire alarm went off this morning.
Staff also helped keep the fire contained by closing doorways, limiting the fire to the hallway, which had the worst damage. He said there was some heat and smoke damage to the rest of the building.
“The faculty did the job they needed to do,” he said.
All 16 children and four employees were safely evacuated, Scott said.
No damage estimate was available, he said.
The fire department received the call for the fire at 7:33 a.m. and had it under control in 15 minutes, Scott said.
He said it was an electrical fire and ruled it accidental.
Assisting Turkey Creek at the scene were the Benton Township, North Webster and Milford Fire Departments. Syracuse Police Department and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene. Scott said approximately 30 firefighters were on scene from the various fire departments.
