Saxonburg Daycare Temporarily Closed Following Vehicle Fire
SAXONBURG, Pa. — The Learning Village Early Childhood Development Center in Saxonburg, Butler County, is temporarily suspended operations following a fire incident involving a vehicle parked adjacent to the facility. The unfortunate event, which occurred last Friday around 4:30 p.m., has left approximately 80 children—ranging from six weeks to school age—without their regular childcare services for at least several days.
Emily Lutz, the director of the Learning Village, expressed the challenge the closure creates for the families relying on their services. “We are currently processing our plan for reopening,” Lutz said. “This center plays a vital role in our community, providing essential care for many families.”
Reports indicate that the fire originated from a vehicle belonging to one of the parents, which inexplicably burst into flames while parked and turned off. The prompt actions of the staff were instrumental in ensuring the safety of everyone in the building at the time. Lutz was alerted by a teacher while inside a classroom and immediately set the emergency procedures into motion. “I recognized the seriousness of the situation. I activated the fire alarm and coordinated the evacuation of all children and staff,” Lutz recounted in an interview with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. “The evacuation was executed efficiently, taking less than two minutes to ensure everyone was out safely.”
Thanks to adherence to established emergency protocols and monthly fire drills mandated by state regulations, all 21 children present were evacuated with remarkable speed and organization. “Our staff showed remarkable professionalism; they accounted for all the children, gathered emergency kits, and efficiently exited the building. Maintaining calm during such an emergency is crucial,” Lutz noted.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported; however, the fire caused most of the damage to the center’s office. The cause of the vehicle fire remains under investigation. As a precaution and for cleanup procedures, the daycare will be closed at least through the current week.
In the wake of this distressing incident, Lutz expressed her gratitude for the community’s support. “Being a small-town child care center, we are deeply appreciative of the local community that has rallied around us during this time,” she remarked.
The Learning Village strongly emphasizes safety and preparedness, which proved invaluable during this incident. As they navigate this unexpected closure, they remain committed to returning to normal operations and ensuring the welfare of the families they serve in the Saxonburg area.
