WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A classroom fire leaves 16 toddlers without a summer program in Winston-Salem.
In an updated release about the program, President and CEO Traci Ross said there were 8 toddlers in each classroom for the 2023 summer session.
Family Services of Forsyth County said the fire at the Sarah Y. Austin Head Start Center will force toddlers out of their summer classes.
A mother of three said her household was affected by the closing. Elechianna McLaughlin has one child currently in the summer program.
"It doesn't throw me too [badly]. At the same time, it's more of a concern about where he's going to go now. S.Y.A. has always had a way of taking care of us," McLaughlin said.
She said the Head Start Center has already made arrangements for her child to start Tuesday.
As for the county's childcare center, Ross said this incident is the second insurance claim they've had to make in less than a month. A break-in at another facility resulted in thieves taking copper from an AC unit and diapers.
"Two very unfortunate events in a short amount of time for us," Ross said.
The group said it has about a month to make repairs or else none of their classrooms can open for the start of the school year.
The estimated cost of the fire damage is unclear but Family Services of Forsyth County said they are working to provide at-home services for families if needed.
The Winston-Salem Fire Department said the building had minor damage and no one was hurt.
This story is developing. Stay with WFMY News 2 for more updates.
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