West Manatee Fire Rescue

Daycare workers were praised by firefighters today for their quick and efficient actions.  When workers smelled smoke at the Sunshine Academy Daycare center, at the First Church of God, they notified office staff, who quickly activated the fire alarm system.  Workers then evacuated approximately 100 pre-school children to the safety of another building.  Firefighters found smoke in the church structure located at 2520 43^rd St West.  It took about an hour to locate the source of the smoke.  The smoke was being generated by a floodlight fixture on the roof that is intended to light the church’s steeple, causing smoke to enter the attic space and disperse throughout the structure.  Damage to the structure was minimal, and the building was turned back over to the church for immediate occupancy.