A fire has destroyed a Kingston childcare centre, leaving children, families and educators without their familiar service.
Queensland Police Service has deemed the fire at Treehouse Early Learning Centre on Juers Street as non-suspicious, but said the exact cause was likely to remain unknown because of the extent of the damage.
Queensland Fire Department crews were called to the centre about 12.50am on Monday, 1 June and arrived to find the fire beginning to engulf the single-storey building.
Six fire crews attended the scene, but firefighters were forced to battle the blaze from outside after the roof collapsed.
The fire was brought under control about 1.50am, but crews and investigators remained at the scene until about 10am.
No one was inside the centre at the time, apart from the centre’s pet lizard, Winston, who firefighters managed to rescue amid the destroyed building.
It is reported that Winston is now being helped to recovery by specialist wildlife carers.
Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland executive general manager Carly Irving-Dolan said the organisation had visited the site and seen the extent of the damage.
“We were deeply saddened to visit the site of the recent fire and see the extent of the damage to one of our valued member services,” Ms Irving-Dolan said.
“Our thoughts are with the owners, staff and families affected during what is undoubtedly a very difficult time.”
A fire investigator and QPS investigator attended the scene and machinery was later used to partly clear debris.
The centre, listed as a 74-place early learning service, forms part of the family-owned Treehouse Early Learning group and caters for children from six weeks old through to kindergarten age.
For families, the loss means much more than just a burnt building.
It means disrupted routines, sudden childcare uncertainty and the loss of a place where young children saw their educators, friends and familiar rooms each week.
Ms Irving-Dolan said the centre had been an important part of the local community.
“This service has been an important part of the local community and it’s clear how much it means to the families it supports,” she said.
“We are here to stand alongside them in any way we can, including helping them navigate the immediate aftermath and any pathways to recovery.”
She said the early childhood sector was built on connection and resilience and would continue supporting the Treehouse community.
“As a sector, we are reminded in moments like this of the resilience and strength within our early childhood community,” Ms Irving-Dolan said.
“We will continue to offer our support and advocate for the resources needed to ensure services can rebuild and continue their vital work.”
Nearby Roots Childcare and Kindergarten has offered interim enrolments for Treehouse families who need temporary care while the Kingston centre remains closed.
A Roots Childcare and Kindergarten staff member said there had been “a lot of shock” when staff heard about the fire.
“It is just up the road from us,” the staff member said.
“We all drive past it every single day.”
The staff member said Roots moved quickly because it knew families would suddenly be left without care.
“We put out a call very quickly on Facebook because we knew that there were going to be families without any care for their children,” they said.
“We just didn’t want that to happen.”
They said four Treehouse families had already enrolled at Roots, with children starting at the centre on Wednesday.
The staff member said affected parents had been heartbroken for Treehouse’s director and educators, and families had come together “really beautifully” as a community.
“Our hearts are with them,” they said.
“We know how much centres mean to educators. You put your heart and soul into decorating and setting up your room and having all your children’s artwork and work that they’ve done.
“Then all the personal things you have put into your room and your centre — we know what it would be like to lose all that and have it all suddenly gone.
“Our heart just goes out to them, and we just hope that they’re doing okay.”
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