The owners of Mother Hen’s Daycare on Ropewalk Lane are already working to find a temporary home following a devastating fire early this morning.
James, who is turning 4 in a few days (🎈🎉), told me “his daycare is all burned.” Sweet little guy. Jennifer politely declined an interview, but said it’s an emotional morning. Says the families who use Mother Hens are close, and love it there. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/DD1C3FcnsA
— Renell LeGrow VOCM (@R_LeGrowVOCM) July 3, 2019
Police tape is draped across three store fronts in the strip mall – Mother Hens daycare takes up the end unit on the left. The owners tell me the daycare suffered the most damage, with smoke damage throughout the other locations.
Owners Leeann Parsons and Janice Parsons are already looking at a temporary home for the 36 kids who attend Mother Hens. They say the community is supporting them, and that donations are already coming in, including books delivered this morning from a young child. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/xXNS5pKQkg
— Renell LeGrow VOCM (@R_LeGrowVOCM) July 3, 2019
An RNC cruiser holds the scene. Surrounding the vehicle on the sidewalk, charred children’s toys, dolls with blackened dresses, and leftovers of the foam fire crews used to douse the flames.
Owners Leeann Parsons and Janice Parsons are already looking at a temporary home for the 36 two-to-five-year-olds who attend Mother Hens.
Operator Lori Evely says she found out through a parent, but didn’t believe it at first until she saw the story on the VOCM Website.
They say the community is supporting them, and that donations are already coming in, including books delivered this morning from a young child.
A mother, Jennifer Grace, and her son James visited the daycare during my stop this morning. Jennifer told me she got a text at 3:30 a.m. that the daycare was on fire. Shes devastated by the development, says James loves going to daycare. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/UljAEoTyE2
— Renell LeGrow VOCM (@R_LeGrowVOCM) July 3, 2019
The RNC is asking for anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.
Parents Supporting Owners in Wake of Fire
Roger Lewis, the parent who contacted the owners about the fire, says everyone is devastated.
He told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly the owners are in the process of finding another location and they’re accepting donations of toys and other equipment to fill the gap.
He’s asking people to contact him to help the owners get back on their feet.
He is on holiday right now, and his 5-year-old daughter has a place to go in the meantime, but it will be a monumental task to relocate the 36 kids who go there.
Earlier Story
An early-morning fire has caused extensive damage to a daycare in the centre of the City.
Crews were called to Mother Hen’s Daycare on Ropewalk Lane shortly after 3:30 a.m.. VOCM’s Earl Noble was on the scene:
Chris Jefford, Acting Platoon Chief with the St. John’s Regional Fire Department said when they arrived at Ropewalk Lane they found smoke and fire towards the rear of the business. Firefighters quickly gained access to the daycare in an attempt to find the fire.
Employees of a nearby business reported hearing a noise from outside, and upon investigation found a broken window with smoke pouring from inside. A small explosion of smoke and fire then followed.
Overnight fire scene at Mother Hen’s Daycare Ropewalk Walk Lane – extensive damage to bldg – no injuries @590VOCM #nltraffic pic.twitter.com/Lg0asacH4M
— Paul Raynes (@PaulRaynesVOCM) July 3, 2019
Fire damage to the daycare centre was extensive, with some smoke, water, and structural damage to the adjacent restaurant. Crews had to tear away at the adjoining wall and ceiling to check if the fire had spread.
The toy fire helmet brought out on a storage cart of smouldering debris kind of made me sad. #nltraffic @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/FiUGwgasrL
— Earl Noble (@Noble41) July 3, 2019
Residual smoke damage throughout the remainder of the plaza is also a possibility. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is investigating the cause of the fire.
Pictures and video by Earl Noble