Staff at a Warrenton child care service were pleased by the generosity of a neighboring business Thursday, July 5, when it offered them help during what could have been a difficult, or even dangerous, situation.After hearing a loud noise and smelling something burning, staff at the Marvin Marks Child Development Center evacuated their children and called the fire district. But keeping the children outside in daytime temperatures close to 100 degrees wasn’t a safe option, so they needed somewhere to go.That somewhere was the Holiday Inn Express on North Highway 47, which backs up to the preschool on North Steinhagen Road. With the help of the Warrenton fire officials, they arranged for 46 children and 21 adults to stay inside the hotel for a little under an hour.“The hotel was super awesome and kind,” said Marvin Marks Center Manager Jennifer O’Connor. Hotel staff brought the group into a lobby area and turned on cartoons for the kids, she said.First responders who came to help were also great with the children, O’Connor said. Warrenton police officers escorted the line of kids between the preschool and hotel, and spent time with the group once they were in the lobby. Ambulance staff blocked the street while children were crossing, and the fire department checked the entire preschool building to find the source of the problem.Holiday Inn General Manager Brian Baker said the staff at the hotel was more than happy to help.“It was kind of cute seeing all the kids. It’s like they got a mini field trip,” Baker said. “It was pretty concerning to hear that the fire alarm was pulled. We wanted to make sure the kids and teachers had somewhere to hang out.”The issue at the preschool was the result of a bad motor in a heating and air conditioning unit, causing a smell of burning. Warrenton Fire Chief Mike Owenby said the entire situation was handled very well.“The (child center) staff reacted perfectly, they did a fabulous job,” Owenby said. He added the hotel was very gracious to open its doors right away so the group could stay cool inside.

Children and staff from the Marvin Marvin Marks Child Development Center in Warrenton were welcomed into the the lobby of Holiday Inn Express after a fire alarm at their preschool Thursday, July 5. With them are Warrenton police officers who helped escort the children between the buildings, which are a short walk apart. 

Submitted photo