Daycare Fire Leaves Parents Scrambling for Childcare on Grand Island

A devastating fire at KinderKiddz daycare facility on Grand Island has left dozens of parents in a desperate search for alternative childcare options. The fire broke out at around 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, engulfing the building in heavy heat and smoke.

The incident has shocked parents, many of whom expressed surprise as it is a newer building.

The owners of KinderKiddz, Shellina Patel and her husband, opened the daycare in 2021 to address the need for childcare in the area. Patel expressed her concern for the parents, children, and staff affected by the fire.

Fire crews battled the blaze for over two hours, finally extinguishing it by 3:15 p.m. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, but the damages are estimated to be around $2 million. As a result, KinderKiddz is currently listed as "temporarily closed" online.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation and the case has been handed over to the Erie County Sheriff's Office. Grand Island assistant fire chief Don Turner shared a working theory that the fire may have been caused by tablets charging unattended on a countertop.

The community is now rallying together to support the affected families and find alternative childcare solutions while the investigation continues.