No injuries were reported when a three-alarm fire broke out at a northwest suburban KinderCare Learning Center Wednesday morning.
According to the Kane County Sheriff’s office the fire sparked just after 5:30 a.m. at the childcare facility in the 1200 block of West Spring St. in South Elgin.
About 60 firefighters from 13 different departments responded to the scene of the extra-alarm blaze, but the building was destroyed by the flames.
"Went into an an exterior attack trying to knock the fire down before we went in, but the fire was already working it's way up though the soffit and into the attic, which is all wooden truss," South Elgin Fire Chief Bill Sohn said.
A witness from a nearby business called 911 to report the flames.
Authorities don’t believe anyone was in the building at the time. It was scheduled to open at 6:15 a.m.
Power was shut off to the building and surrounding businesses as firefighters battled the blaze.
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Damage to the building was "extensive," according to the South Elgin & Countryside Fire Protection District.
Officials said about 100 families used the center that went up in flames. Another KinderCare located about three miles away said it would take children who were supposed to be at the damaged facility Wednesday.
"There are three other facilities in this region, one that's just three miles from here, so they are going to take the kids in, and make sure they have a home," said spokesperson Kim Wascher.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known but an investigation was underway Wednesday morning.
