PHOTO GALLERY: 18 kids, 3 staff members safely escape daycare fire

KSDK -- A daycare in St. Charles has been evacuated because of a two-alarm fire.

PHOTO GALLERY: Chopper 5 and pictures from the ground at the daycare.

The fire started around 8:00 a.m. at the Discovery Kids Daycare at Jungerman and Willott Roads.

The daycare's staff members said 18 kids and three staff members evacuated the daycare before the smoke reached the room the kids were in. They were out of the building for five to eight minutes before they smelled the smoke.

Batallion Chief Mark Runge with Central County Fire and Rescue said investigators are still looking into the cause, but the worst damage was near the kitchen.

Caitlyn Modde is the daughter of the owner of the daycare. She told Newschannel 5 that the fire extensively damaged three rooms and the daycare will probably have to be demolished or undergo extensive rehabilitation.

Modde said the children and teachers are all being welcomed to the A to Z Daycare down the street until the facility is replaced or repaired.